By guest author: Marc Dagenais
Hitting a softball can not be learnt to do overnight. You need to learn how to hit the ball by using drills which will give you the necessary skills to perform better at the plate. Some of the best drills use a batting tee and this article has several of these types of drills. Use a couple of these softball hitting drills and you will really notice how much better you are getting at hitting the ball.
Drill 1 - Deflated Volleyball
Purpose: To emphasize keeping the knees together with a short, balanced, stride.
Procedure: The batter assumes normal position at the T with a deflated volleyball placed between her knees. The batter then swings through the ball while remaining balanced and gripping the volleyball with her knees.
Drill 2 - Down on One Knee
Purpose: To concentrate on keeping the barrel above the hands to hit the high pitch. The only way to hit the high pitch is to tomahawk the ball.
Procedure: The hitter is down on the back leg with the front leg extended straight. The ball is on a T above shoulder level when the batter is on one knee. The batter keeps her hands down and the barrel up, tomahawking the ball.
Drill 3 - Inside - Outside
Purpose: To emphasize taking the same stride, regardless of the pitch location.
Procedure: One T is placed on the inside corner of the plate (in front of the plate), and the second T is placed on the outside corner of the plate (even with the plate). While using correct mechanics, the batter alternates between hitting the inside ball and the outside ball.
Drill 4 - Regular T
Purpose: To practice keeping the head down and the barrel up.
Procedure: Place the T in the strike zone so that the barrel stays up. The batter should drive the front shoulder to the outside corner of the plate. After contact the batter should look inside the T. This ensures that the head stays down.
Drill 5 - Target on the Fence
Purpose: To practice a smooth rhythm and follow-through.
Procedure: Place a target on the fence and a T about 15-20 feet in front of the target. The batter tries to hit the target.
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog
He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html Go Sign-up Now!
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