Purpose:

Players learn and practice what the back arm does during a swing.

Setup:

The player kneels at the side of a tee.

Player kneels at a tee to practice using her back arm.

Instructions:

1. The batter gets down on her back knee and swings the bat and hits the ball off the tee using just her back arm.

Coaching Tips:

  • When using the back arm, it’s important for the batter to keep a firm wrist and arm to keep the barrel higher than the hands as it comes through the contact area.
  • On the swing, the batter should come down through the ball instead of dropping the bat first and then coming forward on a level plane.
  • Raise the tee higher to test the batter’s wrist strength.
  • With the one-arm drills, it is best to use a youth (16- or 17-ounce) bat.

For Younger Athletes:

  • Start with the fundamentals of the back arm swing, focusing on mastering the basic movement before adding power.
  • Incorporate exercises to improve grip strength, as a strong grip is crucial for controlling the bat with one arm.
  • Use positive reinforcement, acknowledging efforts and progress to build confidence and encourage development.

For Older Athletes:

  • Introduce advanced techniques like adjusting the swing based on pitch location, helping develop a more versatile hitting approach.
  • Challenge with heavier bats in the drill, if comfortably manageable, to help develop greater wrist and arm strength.
  • Utilize video analysis for feedback, allowing older players to visually understand and correct their mechanics more effectively.