ASA Softball: ACE Coaching Manual - Hitting Part 2 (Swing)

If you are coaching t-ball, hitting won’t be quite as difficult as it will be if your team is hitting off “live” pitching. With live pitching, hand-eye coordination and timing come in to play, as does the fear of being hit by a pitched ball.  If your players are afraid of getting hit by the ball, use safety balls or tennis balls in your practices to remove fear of the ball.

II. TRIGGER (aka Loading)

	Figure 5

Definition: Slight movement away from the pitcher

• "Slight weight shift to inside of back leg (knee inside) (Figure 5)
• Movement can be back or down into back leg
• Hands move to strong “throwing” position (ex. skipping rock)
• Hand movement slow and continuous (on time with the pitcher)
• Hand stay even or slightly inside of front elbow
• No twisting of upper body

III. STRIDE

Definition: Movement toward the pitcher to establish a strong hitting position

1. Stride concludes at toe touch, but can vary (Early stride, No Stride, Stride on heel)
2. Weight lands on inside of front foot.
3. Front foot down early vs. late (recognizes and react)Hips and Shoulders remain square to the plate
4. Move to a stong hitting position

	Figure 6

5. Equal bend in the knees
6. Front foot at 45 degree angle (Figure 6)
7. Hands end up in a strong throwing position


8. Hands even or slightly inside of lead elbow.
9. Bat angle slightly back towards head
10. Back elbow slightly elevated to create space between back elbow and hip

Definition: Rotational movement that takes the bat from launching position to contact

1. Weight shifting into front side initiates rotation (just prior to or at heel
   plant) (Figure 7)
2. Back elbow falls into “slot”
3. Hips and hands work together (skipping a rock)
4. Hands stay inside of ball to bat lag position (knob pointed towards pitcher-
   barrell pointed towards catcher).
5. Lead with front elbow (Figure 8)
6. Bat head on plane and ready to release forces.
7. Hands in front of center of gravity (belly button) (Figure 8)
8. Contact: position that allows you to release the bat with the most force:

• Middle pitch: barrel even with the hands.
• Inside pitch: barrel ahead of the hands.
• Outside pitch: barrel behind the hands.