| Let's understand three important principles when | | | | Toss and tee hitting only provide practice of |
| we talk about how to hit a baseball: | | | | mechanics, and the hitter needs much more. Not |
| 1. Mechanics, which include form and technique | | | | only does he need to see pitching from a |
| 2. Judgmental principles | | | | distance, but he also needs to have some |
| 3. Confidence | | | | pressure put on him during his practice sessions. |
| When a player is hitting off of a tee or in soft | | | | In our baseball hitting tips, we can add a measure |
| toss, this involves only mechanics. There are no | | | | of pressure on the hitter in a batting cage by |
| judgmental or confidence factors at all involved. | | | | using a Power-10 series, where he works to hit 8 |
| Whereas, in the game, judgmental principles may | | | | out of 10 pitches hard. This puts pressure on him |
| be even more important than mechanics. This | | | | to get a high score. He can also run a series of |
| involves reading the pitch and taking appropriate | | | | power-10's using out youth baseball hitting drills. |
| action. | | | | This will also increase his confidence level. |
| Here is one of my best baseball coaching tips. The | | | | There is an old saying that is so true: |
| player who does only short-toss and t-hitting | | | | Play like you practice and practice like you play. |
| misses out on a major part of hitting, and that is | | | | This was never more important than in the game |
| judging the pitch in space (trajectory). When we | | | | of baseball. So here are some ideas to help |
| practice with soft toss, it is "pitch - hit". But when | | | | accomplish this. |
| we hit in the game, the sequence is "pitch - | | | | 1. Batters should have some practice where they |
| trajectory - hit". | | | | get some distance from the pitcher, either a |
| And no player can perform at his best unless he | | | | machine or live pitcher. |
| has confidence. Tension forces a player to do | | | | 2. Put some tension in the practice. |
| things he would not do during practice. So how do | | | | 3. In every batting cage practice session, include a |
| we make the transition from practice to the | | | | "Power-10", 7 or 8 hard hits out of 10 to increase |
| game? | | | | confidence level and a good feeling of |
| Hitting is a conditioned reflex. A hitter must | | | | performance. |
| practice to "groove" his stroke, and then trust it. | | | | 4. Use practice that simulates game situations and |
| In other words, 'no stinkin thinkin' at the plate. It's | | | | encourages players to feel good about their |
| see-ball, hit-ball, have fun! | | | | performance. |