Today, we’re going to go over a number of softball hitting drills that will help you improve your bat speed, bat quickness, perception, power, and the sequence of your swing.
These drills will improve your game performance by practicing the techniques and skills that are a part of each softball hitting drill.
All great hitters have three things in common: good, consistent practice habits; a sound swing sequence; and excellent perceptive skills developed in practice.
The following softball hitting drills are used to develop a rhythmic sequential swing.
A definite number of repetitions per set will be recommended for each drill. A coach would not use all the drills shown in one practice session, but use those drills which assist a player in her swing development.
Players who have a good sequential swing would use two to three softball hitting drills per practice session.
A maximum of 10 repetitions per set should be performed. Too many repetitions per set leads to hitter fatigue. The hitter also has trouble concentrating mentally and her swing does not have the same rhythm and timing or proper sequence.
Coaches should monitor the number of repetitions closely. A player could average as many as 75-100 swings per practice session depending upon the individual’s strength and mental capabilities.
Dry Swing Drill
The dry drill develops dynamic balance and proper body sequence of the swing. By dynamic balance, we mean chin staying over top of the belly button and working from ball of foot to ball of foot.
The proper sequence of the swing is when the front foot makes contact, the back heel aggressively comes off the ground and the hips begin to rotate. The hips must rotate before the shoulders. They’re trying to keep their front shoulders closed so they get the feel of the lower half of the body beginning to rotate first.
This is the first softball hitting drill to develop the proper sequence of body parts in hitting.
The dry swing drill helps the player to begin to get the feel of her upper body following her lower body in rotation. So the player begins her normal stride, her front foot makes contact, back heel comes up, back hip starts to move, and that rotational movement carries over into the trunk, up through the shoulders into the arms and into the hands.
It’s very important that the hitter take her time and make sure her swing is in the proper sequence. This can be done individually or as a team drill, and 25 repetitions are recommended.
Sequence Tee Drill
The sequence tee drill is for the player to work on her swing using the proper sequence and hitting a ball off of a tee. It’s very difficult for a hitter to get the proper sequence on a swing when she’s trying to hit a moving ball if she is just beginning to learn the actual sequence of a swing.
It’s important to adjust the tee for the hitter so that she is going to have success.
We set up the tee so that it is on the edge of the plate which, with a pitch down the middle, is the area on the plate where she would like to hit the ball. The hitter really needs to concentrate on taking her time and making sure that her swing is in sequence.
In a team setting, we would like to see the player have 25 repetitions in a practice situation, but only take 10 swings at a time. More than 10 swings at one time tends to tire the hitter out and the mechanics begin to suffer.
Reverse Sequence Drill
The reverse sequence drill starts with the hitter in the contact position. It has her reverse her swing and develop a rhythmic movement.
Again, this hitter is working in sequence, and she’s trying to develop a nice, smooth, rhythmic swing.
In a team setting, each individual, wants to do 25 repetitions in the period of a practice time, with a maximum of 10 at one particular time.
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