Softball Batting Practice Tips for Coaches

Softball Batting Practice Tips for Coaches
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Softball batting practice tips will help you improve your player's hitting techniques as well as their stances. While batting practice tips often focus on mechanics, more general batting practice tips can be offered to players on your team who are in a slump or suffering from low self-confidence.

Small Step

This batting practice tip should be offered to players who are lunging at the plate. Have your player get into her stance. Get on one knee a few feet to the side of your player and prepare to throw her an underhand pitch. As you release your arm, instruct the player to shift her weight back and take a short step forward. Right after the step, have her swing all the way through the pitch. This short step will keep your hitters balanced and level.

Review Videotape

If one of your hitters is in a slump, watch video of your player's stance to analyze what he is doing wrong. If you can pinpoint the problem on tape, you can show the hitter what he is doing wrong and how he can correct it. After watching the tape and finding the root of the problem, engage in a basic hitting session with your player, emphasizing good form throughout the session.

Hit and Run

While most coaches have their players hit a series of balls in a row during batting practice, it is often more beneficial to instruct your hitters to run to first base after they hit the ball. In a live game, the batter will always run as soon as the ball is hit. As a result, getting your hitters in the habit of running after the pitch will improve their speed to first base. This can also serve as a conditioning drill for your players.

Elbows Locked

While instructing a batter during practice, have her concentrate on keeping her elbows locked while in her stance. Allowing your hitter to move her elbow around during her stance will increase her chances of dropping her shoulder while swinging. Dropping your shoulder results in foul balls and pop ups. Tell your hitters to keep their elbows locked until their arms go through the strike zone and make contact with the ball.

References

Article reviewed by Kirk Ericson Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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