Softball Hitting Mechanics – Developing A Short, Compact Swing [VIDEO]
Here’s a great video clip from 11-time NCAA champion Sue Enquist. She explains her approach for teaching the “Swing” phase of hitting mechanics – something she calls “Phase 3.” Check out the complete Softball Hitting Mechanics online clinic if you’d like to see the full 48 minute video.
Here’s a quick summary of how she teaches it:
- Maintain a slight bend in the elbow and a bend in the wrist
- Sequentially unlock front shoulder, elbow and wrist
- Keep the hands inside the path of the ball with the wrists cocked
- The hands lead the barrel of the bat
- Place the barrel of the bat on the path of the ball as soon as possible
- Upon contact, open up the hips, extend the arms, and snap the wrists
- Upon follow through, open the front toe slightly
- Keep the head still throughout the entire swing
Step 1: go ahead and watch the video – you’ll learn some important softball hitting tips and ideas you can start using in your next practice
Step 2: Let me know what you think! Leave a comment in the box below and tell me your favorite technique for teaching hitting mechanics. I’ll share your ideas with the other coaches in our community (and give you full credit of course!)
Step 3: Share this video with your softball pals! “Like” it on Facebook or tweet a link to this page. Thanks!
I liked all of the steps and I could easily understand it. Thanks!
very well done.easy to follow.will be perfect for my daughter to watch.one of my favorite to teach the girls is turning the back foot.they seem to pick up on it very fast,& what a difference that makes.
What is the current feeling on the “Step or Stride” versus the straight pivot….or no step hitting mechanics?
Steve,
I am not sure what everyone else is doing, but my daughter’s hitting instructor teaches a short stride. She currently plays for the United Kingdom’s national team and played college softballball at OU, so I figure she is probably up to date on the latest techniques.
Here is a drill to reinforce this tehcnique. Have the batter stand toes pointing at a net, one bat length away (batter holds the bat parallel to the ground such that the knob is at her belly button and the end of the barrel touches the wall). She should be able to execute the swing without the bat touching the net. As she gets better, a wall can be used in place of the net. A variation is to have her stand with her back foot touching the net or wall (where it meets the ground). Again, she should be able to execute the swing without the bat touching the net. Finally, combine the two, using a corner–back foot at the wall, and the perpedicular wall (in front of her) one bat length away. The entire swing should be executed without touching the walls.
Great clip. I love it when HIGHLY successful coaches break down skills and give us mortals great tips and tools to use with our kids!
Mostly agree. I like the portion on focus. I think there is a mixed message about getting the bat in plane with the ball. Sue says “keep the barrel above the hands” and shows that very strange move at the end of the video with the barrel coming down from above the hands directly down to the ball. She also says you have to get the bat in plane with the ball and the ball determines the plane. Cant do both and if you teach anyone to do that, and they actually do it, the best you can hope for is driving the ball in the ground or popping it up. You have the get the bat in plane with the ball in the back of the strike zone. (Yes a strike zone has a front and back as well as a left and right.) Also not thrilled about the front toe pointed at the plate. This IS a quick fix to help a young player keep front shoulder in longer, but kills power. Notice with her front toe position at the end when she tries to finish her hips are locked in, back shoulder cant get through and she rolls her wrist prematurely.
Thanks for sharing this tip, it will help my daughter with her batting.
Hi Coach – thanks you for posting this. I’ve followed Coach Enquist for many years and own many of her instructinoal books. Is the rest of this video available on your site?
Hi Daphne. Thanks for the feedback. You can find the complete video here: http://softballspot.com/sp/mechanics.html
It breaks down all the phases of hitting mechanics in a pretty simple way. I’ve used a lot of Sue’s advice for working with kids at all ages, and the drills and tips she uses are very effective.
Nicely explained! I like the break down of each movement in a way that will make sense for young kids.