Top 4 Hitting Drills to Boost Your Batting Average
As baseball parents or young aspiring players, you understand that a strong batting average is a testament to a player’s skill at the plate. Improving your swing and increasing your chances of making contact with the ball means committing to a solid practice routine, armed with effective hitting drills. Here’s a roundup of the best hitting drills to sharpen your batting skills and pump up that average.
Tee Work - The Foundation of Great Hitting
Purpose:
Tee work is a fundamental drill that focuses on hitting the ball with correct form without the variable of pitch speed or location.
Drill:
Place a baseball on a batting tee at various heights and positions around the strike zone. Focus on swinging through the ball with a level bat path. Proper tee work helps to iron out flaws in your swing mechanics and develop muscle memory for a consistent and powerful swing.
Tips:
Start with the tee at waist height and gradually move it to work on hitting both high and low pitches.
Use different types of bats to improve hand-eye coordination and control.
Soft Toss - The Reactive Power Drill
Purpose:
Soft toss builds on tee work by introducing a moving ball, increasing a hitter’s reaction time and reinforcing proper swing mechanics.
Drill:
A partner or coach gently tosses balls to the hitter from the side (side toss) or in front (front toss) to simulate various pitch locations. The batter must focus on timing their swing to make solid contact.
Tips:
Keep your head still, and eyes on the point of contact.
Start with slower tosses and increase speed as your timing improves.
Batting Practice with Variance - The Game Situation Drill
Purpose:
This drill emphasizes adaptability and decision-making skills, as the batter faces different types of pitches like they would in a game.
Drill:
During batting practice, have a pitcher or pitching machine throw a mix of fastballs, curveballs, and changeups. The batter should focus on identifying the pitch type and adjusting their swing accordingly.
Tips:
Work on recognizing pitches early out of the pitcher’s hand.
Practice taking pitches as well to develop a keen eye for the strike zone.
Sequence Bat Training - The Mechanics Enhancer
Purpose:
The Sequence Bat is designed to improve the hitter's mechanics and timing with its unique two-handled design.
Drill:
Using the Sequence Bat, perform regular tee work, soft toss, and batting practice drills. The dual handles encourage proper hand positioning and guide the swing path to stay inside the ball, promoting better mechanics.
Tips:
Pay attention to hand separation upon contact; the Sequence Bat helps in keeping your hands inside the ball.
Incorporate the Sequence Bat into your routine to build strength and correct bat path.
Conclusion
Incorporating these hitting drills into your practice routine can significantly impact your performance at the plate. With dedication and proper training tools like the Sequence Bat, you’ll be on the fast track to increasing your batting average. Remember, consistency is key, and each swing is a step towards becoming a more formidable hitter. Keep practicing, stay focused, and watch those numbers climb.