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We all have or had various interests in our school and college life, and some may even have led to professional careers later on. For some, it could have been music, literature, or some other form of art, or for some, it could be sports such as Football, Basketball, or Baseball. And as it is correctly said –“Practice makes a man – or woman – perfect”, the same is the case with baseball. One of the best ways to practice baseball is through hitting drills. Let’s know ‘Hitting Drills Every Youth Baseball Player Should Know’.
Hitting Drills Every Youth Baseball Player Should Know
Hitting drills not only help in improving the players’ batting skills but can also improve hitting the ball and swinging the bat with the proper technique which is called out to be one of the hardest things to do in Baseball. Even though many hitting drills can be named, there are some drills that every youth baseball player should know. They can help you with some of the most common problems some players face while playing. Some of them are Front Toss hitting drill, and the Soft Toss hitting drill, which can also be practiced with weighted balls or you can also try the Two Balls Soft Toss.
Other ones are Medicine Ball Toss hitting drill and Controlled Fall Drill. Bottom Hand hitting drill, Top Hand hitting drill, Step Backs, In and Out are a few other hitting drills players regularly use. Some hitting drills that can be used with a tee are the Tee Time hitting drill, Two Tee Aim hitting drill, The Tee drill, High Tee hitting drill, Low Tee hitting drill, and Off-Speed Practice with the Tee hitting drill. Offset Open, Offset Closed, Offset Rotation, and Three Strides are some more hitting drills that can be taken into practice too.
- Front Toss Hitting Drill
Front Toss hitting drill improves the hitting approach as well as helps in keeping the front side close. It also helps with a proper swing and hitting the ball from multiple locations. Remember to keep a wide stance and your weight distribution to be even.
- Soft Toss Hitting Drill
Soft Toss hitting drill can be practiced indoors also in addition to outdoors because it requires less space along with only a net, baseballs, and someone to toss you as you practice. It helps with your hitting technique and your follow-through. You can also try different variations of this drill, like holding the bat with your lead hand only, or with a weighted ball. You can also try the Two Ball Soft Toss drill.
- Medicine Ball Toss Hitting Drill
This drill is great for building strength. For doing that, initially, you can use a light medicine ball and as your strength builds, you can go with heavier balls. This drill also helps in developing power and in keeping muscle memory.
- Step Back Hitting Drill
Step back hitting drill is great for loading into the glute end back hip. Glute loaded hitter in place of loaded quads and calves helps in creating rotation and foregoing the push-through contact. In addition to loading, this drill also helps in coiling the torso plus pelvis during it. You can also control your stride with this drill as well as it can help you in a balanced weight distribution.
- Controlled Fall Hitting Drill
You can do this drill at any time and any place, be it indoors or outdoors, in your room, or on the field because only a bat is needed for this hitting drill. This drill can help you with one of the most important things when it comes to baseball, which is your timing. You can also work on controlling your stride and having a strong swing on time with this drill.
- Top Hand-Bottom Hand Isolation Hitting Drill
It is important to use both hands for a balanced swing instead of the swing being dominated by one hand only. If your top hand is dominant, you should strengthen your bottom hand and if you are dominant with your bottom hand, you should work on your top hand. To balance power in your swing, isolate each hand with the help of the Top Hand-Bottom Hand Isolation drill. If you feel that you have a weak top hand or bottom hand, you can solve that problem too with this drill. This drill also helps in getting a short, compact, and quick Swing.
- Offset Open Hitting Drill
If you have a problem with a downward swing path or poor barrel direction, Offset Open is a great drill for you and if losing the barrel is also an issue, this drill can help you with that too. You can work on maintaining your posture and improving your swing direction also with this drill.
- Offset Closed Hitting Drill
If you are getting jammed and having a problem with pulling the ball in the air, you should practice this drill. This drill will help you to pull the ball effectively. You can also achieve getting to the inside pitch through this drill.
- Offset Rotation Hitting Drill
This drill is the perfect mix of an Offset Open hitting drill and Offset Closed hitting drill. It will help you in ball flight to all fields. You can also get to pitches in various areas of the strike zone by practicing this drill. This drill will also help you in improving your bat path to all fields.
Hitting Drills Using A Tee
- High Tee Hitting Drill –
The High Tee drill is great for training your upper body connection. If you have a problem with q high attack angle, then this drill can help you. When you rotate, if you are having a push pattern, this drill is for you. You can also achieve a flatter bat path and work on your high-pitch posture with this drill too.
- Low Tee Hitting Drill –
As the name suggests, the low pitch can be elevated as well as low attacking angles can also be worked on with this drill. You can also keep your posture in check with the help of this drill. On the low pitch, if you are struggling with hitting ground balls, that can also be corrected with this drill.
Conclusion
If you want to improve your batting skills and swinging skills or work on your technique, practicing with these drills would be beneficial for you. These drills will help you in improving your weak points as well as strengthen your strong points through practice. Front Toss, Soft Toss, and Step Backs are some drills every baseball player should practice. Bottom Hand-Top Hand Isolation drill, Controlled Fall drill, High Tee, and Low Tee drills can help a player with some problems they face regularly while playing. In-Out hitting drill, Tee Time, and Off Speed practice with Tee are some other common drills that can be added to your practice sessions.
FAQs
1) How light a medicine ball can be for starting the Medicine Ball Toss hitting drill?
Answer – A medicine ball of about 6 pounds can be used initially while doing the Medicine Ball Toss hitting drill.
2) What are one-handed hitting drills good for?
Answer – One-handed hitting drills are great for maintaining a swing for as long as you play.
