Discussions surrounding the mechanics of swinging a softball bat range from focusing on the point of contact to following through. Just as timing your swing with the speed of a pitch is important, rolling your wrists at the right time is key to making solid contact. Hand-eye coordination allows you to judge the location of a pitch in the hitting zone. If you roll your wrists too early, you inadvertently change the line of the bat through the zone. Rolling your wrists correctly improves your chances of making solid contact with the barrel of the bat.
Wrist Orientation
Step 1
Stand at the plate in your normal hitting stance, but without a bat in hand. Close your fists as if holding the bat, with your dominant hand on top.
Step 2
Simulate a half swing and stop when your arms are extended over the plate. Notice the orientation of your dominant wrist in the hitting zone. Your wrist must be straight up and down, instead of tilted forward or back.
Step 3
Take your stance as if anticipating a pitch and concentrate on the correct orientation of your wrist. Take a half swing and stop when your arms are extended out over the plate. Continue taking half swings, and concentrate on the correct wrist orientation in the hitting zone.
Making Contact
Step 1
Stand at a hitting tee at the front edge of home plate and adjust the height to waist level. Put a softball on the tee. Take your hitting stance with a bat in hand and focus on the ball.
Step 2
Swing the bat at a moderate speed, concentrating on your dominant wrist orientation at the point of contact. Keep your eyes on the point of contact and follow through with your swing.
Step 3
Notice the flight of the ball off the tee. If you topped the ball or flubbed it off the tee, you rolled your wrists too early.
Step 4
Continue hitting balls off the tee using a moderate swing. Follow through each time. Practice until you consistently hit the ball by making solid contact.
Step 5
Speed your swing up until you are able to make solid contact while swinging at full speed. Slow your swing down at any point where you are not able to maintain consistent contact. Continue to practice rolling your wrists correctly before increasing bat speed again.
Things You'll Need
- Hitting tee
- Softballs
- Bat
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