STEP

  • Gently lift front foot and open it 30-degrees.
  • Move foot forward 3-4 inches and then gently set it down.
  •   When executing the “Step”, it is important to:
    •  Keep head still. Head should not bounce nor drift forward as the foot moves forward.
    •  Stay loaded.  Extra weight should remain over rear leg and hands must stay back in trigger position.  Do not allow either your hands, or body weight to creep forward as you step.
  • As the front foot sets down, focus your eyes on the pitcher’s leg adjacent to her throwing arm.  Focus on a spot close to her release point (4-6 inches above her knee.) 
  • As the ball nears the pitcher's release point, shift your focus from the pitcher's leg to the ball.  Track the pitched ball as it approaches home plate.
  • Decision # 1:   Will the ball be in the strike zone when it crosses home plate?
  • Decision # 2:  Do I want to swing at the ball?                                                              

TIP:  A batter doesn't have to swing at every strike.  For example, sometimes when a batter has no strikes, the pitcher will throw a perfect pitch on the low, outside corner of the plate.  College softball's best hitters often struggle to hit pitches on the corner of the plate.   Early in the "count" when you have no strikes, be "selective" and "take" a strike rather than swinging at a pitch that will be difficult for you to "drive" thru the infield.  Hopefully, the next pitch will be up in the strike zone, where it will be easier for you to "crush".

Perfect Hitting Mechanics with Moving Pitches | (Pro Sped Baseball) - YouTube

Getting into the ready position at the plate - YouTube

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                    .

                What can this batter do to improve her STEP?

  • Bat should be perpendicular to batter's toe line and at 45-degree angle to the ground.  
  • It appears that batter may have pulled her hands inside her toe line.   The batter's hands should not cross the toe line as she steps.

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Batter can improve her quickness by shortening her swing.  She will be quicker to the ball if the bat isn't initially wrapped behind her head.  The knob of the bat should not point at the catcher.  Batter should re-position her top hand so that bat is perpendicular to her toe line, at a 45% angle to the ground.

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