In baseball, one of the most common pieces of advice hitters receive is that power comes from their legs. While this is true to some extent, the real key to hitting success lies in bat speed. There is no such thing as a slow bat home run hitter. In this blog, we'll explore why bat speed is crucial, the role of your legs in hitting, and how to optimize your swing for better performance.
Your legs are important in hitting, but they are not the end-all-be-all. The primary function of your legs is to provide a stable platform for your swing. They help you maintain balance and adjust to different pitches, but they do not directly generate the bat speed needed to hit home runs.
For most hitters, the use of their legs happens naturally. Focusing excessively on perfect leg positioning can be counterproductive. Instead, trust...
The curveball is a pitch that many hitters dread. Pitchers love their curveballs and often use them to keep hitters off balance. There are countless videos, books, and tutorials on how to hit a curveball, but in this blog, we will focus on our approach to recognizing and hitting this tricky pitch. We'll discuss why it's essential to work on hitting curveballs, how to recognize them, and provide actionable tips to improve your performance against breaking pitches.
Pitchers frequently rely on their curveballs to disrupt hitters' timing. A steady diet of curveballs can make it difficult to stay consistent at the plate. Learning to recognize and hit curveballs effectively can significantly improve your overall hitting performance.
Curveballs are thrown at lower speeds compared to fastballs, offering an excellent opportunity to make solid...
Lunging at the plate is a common issue that many hitters face. It can lead to a lack of control, balance, and power in your swing. Rather than focusing on what not to do, we emphasize actionable cues that help hitters maintain their form. This blog will explain how keeping your head still can eliminate lunging and improve your overall performance at the plate.
Lunging occurs when a hitter shifts their weight too far forward during their swing, often leading to poor contact with the ball. This forward movement can cause several problems:
Instead of...
When it comes to hitting in baseball, the idea of creating room for error might sound counterintuitive. After all, who wants errors in their swing? However, considering that pitchers are constantly trying to disrupt your timing with various pitches, aiming for perfection can be impractical. Instead, focusing on creating room for error can enhance your consistency and success at the plate. In this blog, we will explore how hand separation and barrel extension can help you achieve this.
Pitchers aim to throw off your timing using a mix of fastballs, sinkers, changeups, and other pitches. Their goal is to make it difficult for you to make perfect contact. Given the variety of pitches and speeds you face, it’s unrealistic to expect perfect timing on every swing.
Creating room for error means allowing for slight imperfections in your swing while still achieving...
It’s a common misconception that high-level players, those who’ve excelled in college or professional baseball, will naturally make great coaches. However, the skills required for playing at a high level and those needed for coaching are vastly different. This blog will explore why not every player can or should transition into coaching, and what to look for in a good coach.
Playing baseball at a high level requires physical prowess, game knowledge, and the ability to perform under pressure. Coaching, on the other hand, demands a completely different set of skills:
Hitting a baseball is one of the most challenging feats in sports. The combination of a round bat, a round ball, varying pitches, and different velocities creates a unique challenge for hitters. Despite these difficulties, success in baseball is often measured by achieving a 30% success rate, a stark contrast to most other fields where such a percentage would be considered a failure. This blog explores how simplifying your approach and finding patterns in your swing can lead to greater success at the plate.
As a former hitter and current hitting coach, I understand how difficult it is to achieve consistent success at the plate. The mechanics of hitting require precise timing, balance, and coordination. However, by simplifying our approach and focusing on key elements, we can improve our chances of success.
To simplify hitting, it's essential to break down...
In baseball, the term "stealing" usually brings to mind swiping bases, but there's another kind of stealing that can significantly benefit your game: stealing information. This blog post explores how gathering insights from fellow players can help you improve your skills and reach higher levels in baseball, from high school to pro ball.
As a player aspiring to improve, you can't rely solely on your own experiences or even just on your coaches' guidance. Other players, especially those who have already achieved the levels you aim for, are valuable resources. They have firsthand knowledge of how to apply the mechanics and techniques that coaches teach.
Coaches provide critical information and training, but players often have unique ways of applying this knowledge based on their individual experiences. By learning from your peers, you can discover practical...
Nicknames can be more powerful than many people realize. While parents, coaches, and players may often overlook their significance, a well-chosen nickname can significantly impact a player's attitude and performance. In this blog post, we'll delve into why nicknames matter, how they are earned, and their potential effects on players and teams.
Nicknames in baseball often come as a recognition of a player’s accomplishments, performance, or attitude. They serve as a badge of honor, highlighting what a player brings to the team. A positive nickname can boost a player's confidence and create a sense of identity and belonging within the team.
Good coaches frequently emphasize two key elements: attitude and performance. These elements are also the primary reasons players earn nicknames. Whether it’s a player with an infectious positive attitude or one...
Players who want to improve their skills can't do it alone. They need guidance from a coach who can help them navigate the path to success. The relationship between a player and coach is essential, as the player has the raw talent but lacks the knowledge to reach the next level. A coach provides this knowledge, creating a partnership where both parties benefit. This blog explores the importance of building trust in baseball coaching and how it can lead to player development and success.
In a successful player-coach relationship, trust and rapport are the foundation. Trust allows players to believe in their coach's guidance and commit fully to the training process. Rapport ensures open communication, mutual respect, and a positive environment where players can thrive.
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