Swing Mechanics - Contact Position - Upper Body Mechanics

THE SLOT

WHAT: The positioning of the back arm as it moves from the launch point to contact point. The hitter wants to keep the elbow close to the body. We use the term “staying connected.” The hitter needs to keep the back elbow “connected” to the body. Contact is usually made here with both arms bent. This happens as the hitter rotates the torso towards contact.
   




FAULT: Hitters send their hands away from the body naturally (casting) which:
  • Keep the front elbow below the front shoulder preventing "chicken winging"

·         Creates a long swing
·         Sends barrel out over the outside or past the plate, which then causes a wrist roll to bring the barrel back over the plate to contact.
·         Creates weaker contact position
HOW TO FIX:
·         Swing thought – drive back elbow close to body to belly button
·         Send hands/knob of bat to pitcher/ball
·         Keep the top hands palm up towards sky
  • Swing thought - hit the inside of the ball.


BATTING DRILLS:
·         Above & inside swing thought – aim for hitting the inside half of the ball during any drill.  This will keep the hitter “connected” and in the slot.
·         Connection drill series drill 

·         Fence drills - Get a bats length away from a fence or net and square to it. Then take swings. If you cast or don’t stay connected, the bat will hit the fence or net.

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