If you could do only 3 batting drills, what would they be?

[omg]

In another thread a poster felt that pepper and self-toss were not very worthwhile drills. So what hitting activities would be your top 3 choices?

Mine:

1. Good quality live bp ON A FIELD.
2. Tee work on a field,not into a net.
3. Standing in the batters box when a good pitcher is warming up, seeing curves,etc. Just tracking.
4. (Sorry couldn't leave this out) Weight lifting.

[conky149er]

mine is

1. hitting off the Personal Pitcher Pro at full speed (golf wiffle balls)
2. hitting off a tee
3. light weight lifting

[new2thesport]

In another thread a poster felt that pepper and self-toss were not very worthwhile drills. So what hitting activities would be your top 3 choices?

Mine:

1. Good quality live bp ON A FIELD.
2. Tee work on a field,not into a net.
3. Standing in the batters box when a good pitcher is warming up, seeing curves,etc. Just tracking.
4. (Sorry couldn't leave this out) Weight lifting.

OMG,

Why not into a net? Whats the benefit for hitting into an open field, as opposed to hitting in a net?

[omg]

OMG,

Why not into a net? Whats the benefit for hitting into an open field, as opposed to hitting in a net?

You get feedback especially regarding the plane of your swing. The goal of hitting is to hit line drives. Can you consistently hit line drives off of a tee? In some ways, hitting into a net distorts how you are hitting and no, you cannot tell how well a ball is hit just by feel or sound.

[glorydays]

You get feedback especially regarding the plane of your swing. The goal of hitting is to hit line drives. Can you consistently hit line drives off of a tee? In some ways, hitting into a net distorts how you are hitting and no, you cannot tell how well a ball is hit just by feel or sound.


Guy,
i think you're splitting hairs on this. An old enough player will understand if he hit the ball correctly or not...

[FiveFrameSwing]

I agree with OMG.

I've often seen kids hitting into one of those pop-up nets. They mindlessly hit away thinking that they are getting themselves ready for BP or a game. Often they fail to judge the quality of their hits .... and often I feel that if they knew the truth they'd be more likely to be making changes.

Basically OMG is saying that the "flight of the ball never lies" ... and hence the quick and immediate feedback.

[FiveFrameSwing]

Let's see .... if I only had 3 drills, and if the intent was to address fundamental issues prior to BP ..... then I'd probably go with the following.

1: Sidearm throws to opposite field .... half with a "walkup" and half "standard".

2: One-arm top-arm swings off a tee .... half with a "walkup" and half "standard".

3: Split grip swings off a tee .... half with a "walk-up" and half "standard" .... preferably "long-tee" so as to better judge the quality of the swing.

[glorydays]

I agree with OMG.

I've often seen kids hitting into one of those pop-up nets. They mindlessly hit away thinking that they are getting themselves ready for BP or a game. Often they fail to judge the quality of their hits .... and often I feel that if they knew the truth they'd be more likely to be making changes.

Basically OMG is saying that the "flight of the ball never lies" ... and hence the quick and immediate feedback.

But then again, i wouldn't classify hitting off of a tee a drill... Shouldn't it be more specific with a purpose? like freeze the finish or a bat direction drill using a tee?

[omg]

Guy,
i think you're splitting hairs on this. An old enough player will understand if he hit the ball correctly or not...

Just give it a try. You might be surprised. Focus on hitting actual line drives to various fields.

I'd even go so far as saying a batting cage itself is merely a tool or drill and can be deceiving in terms of the feeedback it gives hitters. I know you can't hit in the snow but most hitters choose a cage these days because of ease and convenience-even on a nice sunny day.

A pitching screen is a far more valuable piece of equipment than a cage.

[omg]

But then again, i wouldn't classify hitting off of a tee a drill... Shouldn't it be more specific with a purpose? like freeze the finish or a bat direction drill using a tee?

Maybe. I think it is a specific enough to try to hit line drives to center field. And challenging.

[FiveFrameSwing]

But then again, i wouldn't classify hitting off of a tee a drill... Shouldn't it be more specific with a purpose? like freeze the finish or a bat direction drill using a tee?

I can't stress enough that the flight of the ball does not lie.

I have my players hit into the open field in groups. I also have them hit head-on soft-toss into an open field.

The benefits of doing this are big. The kids immediately see the results of their hitting attempts. While one kid drives line-drive shots to the outfield, others don't perform so well. These kids will immediately begin running experiments. They begin putting in extreme effort ..... and all because the quality of their hits is visable for everyone to see. All of a sudden a kid that thought they were great and didn't need any help is in your ear asking for help .... and they are sincere about using the information you have to offer.

All of a sudden you'll have a group of players running "experiements" left-and-right trying to improve themselves.

Hitting into an open field is huge.

[glorydays]

Maybe. I think it is a specific enough to try to hit line drives to center field. And challenging.

I agree, now i just have to find a field that isn't being used in the spring by a league team or use my jugs pop up net in the back yard... ;)
-Junior

[Chris O'Leary]

Basically OMG is saying that the "flight of the ball never lies"

...Unless it's the result of a swing afflicted with bat drag.

[FiveFrameSwing]

...Unless it's the result of a swing afflicted with bat drag.

Good point Chris ..... and bat drag is something I'm always watching out for, and should a student exhibit this issue then I'll have them work on that instead ..... as hitting into an open field can actually give them false feedback.

A very good point Chris.

[Chris O'Leary]

Good point Chris ..... and bat drag is something I'm always watching out for, and should a student exhibit this issue then I'll have them work on that instead ..... as hitting into an open field can actually give them false feedback.

Precisely.

That's why a significant amount of your time has to be spent against game-speed pitching.

[FiveFrameSwing]

Precisely.

That's why a significant amount of your time has to be spent against game-speed pitching.

No Chris, facing game speed pitching is not a cure for bat drag.

Few swing flaws are difficult to correct by challenging a student with "game speed" pitching.

In fact, if I don't catch a swing flaw until after the fundamental portion of my drills, and I first notice the issue during the BP session, then I usually don't address the issue until our next hitting session. IMO it's too frustrating for the student, and for me, to first address an issue in the middle of BP. On the other hand, if I've been working on a student's issue beginning with the fundamental portion of my sessions, then I give myself license to continue addressing that issue as we advance into the BP portion of the hitting session.

[cubsphill]

Let's see .... if I only had 3 drills, and if the intent was to address fundamental issues prior to BP ..... then I'd probably go with the following.

1: Sidearm throws to opposite field .... half with a "walkup" and half "standard".

2: One-arm top-arm swings off a tee .... half with a "walkup" and half "standard".

3: Split grip swings off a tee .... half with a "walk-up" and half "standard" .... preferably "long-tee" so as to better judge the quality of the swing.


I'm not really a fan of the split grip drill. I don't really feel anything with it that makes me feel it's worth doing.

Personally the 3 drills I prefer to do the most are:

1. Walk-up drill
2. One-arm swings (top and bottom)
3. I don't have a name for this one but I catch a tossed ball from my soft toss machine with my top hand. The purpose of this is to drive down by getting a very powerful and quick shift. The shift and stride is very exaggerated to get the feel of the push. I came up with this but I heard Manny does something like it.

[FiveFrameSwing]

Not trying to convince you of the split-grip drill .... just point out that the intent is that by separating the hands one can better feel how each hand works independently .... how the back arm is throwing and the lead side is pulling.

[cubsphill]

Not trying to convince you of the split-grip drill .... just point out that the intent is that by separating the hands one can better feel how each hand works independently .... how the back arm is throwing and the lead side is pulling.

ok, gotcha. I just didn't understand it because I don't really feel anything when doing it.

[Chris O'Leary]

No Chris, facing game speed pitching is not a cure for bat drag.

I never said facing game speed pitching will FIX a problem with bat drag.

However, facing game speed pitching will EXPOSE a problem with bat drag and let you know if your work is on track or not.

[FiveFrameSwing]

I never said facing game speed pitching will FIX a problem with bat drag.

However, facing game speed pitching will EXPOSE a problem with bat drag and let you know if your work is on track or not.

I agree with this. It is during the BP sections of my hitting sessions when I evaluate how the students are progressing and what they need to work on.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your earlier post.

[GetYourBestSwing]

I guess I don't consider BP a drill.... or just hitting off of a tee a drill, just hitting middle, or oppo, inner half off of a tee isn't a drill IMO. Nor would I consider Short Toss/Front Toss a drill.

I want the drills done outside of BP... and have covered this, but we don't address any mechanical issues in BP or against a live arm... just more approach ideas, etc.

The 3 I would choose.

1. Walk Thru Drill - 2 variations of it

2. Marlins Drill - Drill focused on balance and getting barrel in the slot

3. Muscle Memory Drill

[new2thesport]

Its great to see all different types of drills suggested. Do any of you have clips of those particular drills you picked?

[cubsphill]

I guess I don't consider BP a drill.... or just hitting off of a tee a drill, just hitting middle, or oppo, inner half off of a tee isn't a drill IMO. Nor would I consider Short Toss/Front Toss a drill.

I want the drills done outside of BP... and have covered this, but we don't address any mechanical issues in BP or against a live arm... just more approach ideas, etc.

The 3 I would choose.

1. Walk Thru Drill - 2 variations of it

2. Marlins Drill - Drill focused on balance and getting barrel in the slot

3. Muscle Memory Drill

what's the marlins drill?

[Ursa Major]

I agree with FiveFrame as to the limitations of tee hitting into a net. It's really just a limitation imposed by a lack of players/space, particularly when trying location specific drills, like opposite field hitting. The best way to do that is to have competitions where players are rewarded for the power/trajectory of their opposite field hits off a tee. You can't get that incentive going with a net.

Best drills for most kids (you have GOT to be kid-specific with drills):

1. Bottom arm drill;
2. Drill No. 1 (essentially swinging where you stop the bat in the lag position -- i.e., with the bat pointing back at the catcher);
3. Any one of many drills that focus on lower body mechanics to get the hip turned quickly and fully.

GetYourBestSwing, you mention three drills:

"1. Walk Thru Drill - 2 variations of it" -- is this the same as the walk-up[ drill?

"2. Marlins Drill" - yeah, what's this?

"3. Muscle Memory Drill" -- ditto.

Thanks.

[kylebee]

1. Top-hand throws to the opposite field.
2. Walk-up drill.
3. Rapid fire drill.

[GetYourBestSwing]

Marlins drill is done throughout the Florida Marlins organization, where I got it. They have one of the better hitting instructors in their minor league development that I have ever seen.

Tee Drill.... Start standing right next to the Tee facing the opposite direction you would be hitting the ball. Angle your feet just slightly and you are going to take 2 steps back, for a RH batter, step left-right.... angle your feet so you step away from the Tee, not just directly back. You do this for the step inwards described in the next section.

Once you have taken your 2 steps back, get into your stance obviously facing the Tee.

You take a step inward with your Back foot and after you have done this...

- Bring your front leg, or stride foot, up to a balance point, much like pitching.

-At the same time, you bring your hands down and touch the knob of the bat to your stride foot legs knee.

- Pause for 2 seconds... count One-Thousand-One, One-Thousand-Two.

- Then seperate your hands and stride foot and once stride foot lands, swing.


Focuses on a few things.

#1 - balance, maintaining balance in the middle of your body and overall body control.

#2- bringing the knob of the bat to your knee puts your hands in a really bad position to hit and you are forced to make your body understand how to get your hands and the barrel in the proper position to hit.

#3- Seperation of hands and stride foot in your load.


You could also do it, and I have with younger students, without the walk up at the beginning of the drill. Just stand next to the tee and bring the knob of the bat to the knee when they lift their stride foot leg..... certainly can be done this way, I just like the walk up at the beginning for a little rhythm.
Anytime I do it this way without the walkup, make sure they check their contact point on the Tee before beginning drill. Hitting it up the middle, make sure their body is in the right position, inner half, outer-half, etc.... we just always check our contact point in slow motion, using the muscle memory drill, to make sure we are making contact with the baseball in the right spot off the Tee.


Way easier displayed than described in words on a keyboard, thats for sure. lol

[BallCoach06]

Marlins drill is done throughout the Florida Marlins organization, where I got it. They have one of the better hitting instructors in their minor league development that I have ever seen.

Tee Drill.... Start standing right next to the Tee facing the opposite direction you would be hitting the ball. Angle your feet just slightly and you are going to take 2 steps back, for a RH batter, step left-right.... angle your feet so you step away from the Tee, not just directly back. You do this for the step inwards described in the next section.

Once you have taken your 2 steps back, get into your stance obviously facing the Tee.

You take a step inward with your Back foot and after you have done this...

- Bring your front leg, or stride foot, up to a balance point, much like pitching.

-At the same time, you bring your hands down and touch the knob of the bat to your stride foot legs knee.

- Pause for 2 seconds... count One-Thousand-One, One-Thousand-Two.

- Then seperate your hands and stride foot and once stride foot lands, swing.


Focuses on a few things.

#1 - balance, maintaining balance in the middle of your body and overall body control.

#2- bringing the knob of the bat to your knee puts your hands in a really bad position to hit and you are forced to make your body understand how to get your hands and the barrel in the proper position to hit.

#3- Seperation of hands and stride foot in your load.


You could also do it, and I have with younger students, without the walk up at the beginning of the drill. Just stand next to the tee and bring the knob of the bat to the knee when they lift their stride foot leg..... certainly can be done this way, I just like the walk up at the beginning for a little rhythm.
Anytime I do it this way without the walkup, make sure they check their contact point on the Tee before beginning drill. Hitting it up the middle, make sure their body is in the right position, inner half, outer-half, etc.... we just always check our contact point in slow motion, using the muscle memory drill, to make sure we are making contact with the baseball in the right spot off the Tee.


Way easier displayed than described in words on a keyboard, thats for sure. lol

Are you talking about Mallee?

[GetYourBestSwing]

Are you talking about Mallee?


Yea. I like him a lot.

[BallCoach06]

Yea. I like him a lot.

I thought so. I have seen him speak a few times and also have his DVD's. I like his stuff as well. Solid coach.

[Ursa Major]

GetYerBestSwing said: Way easier displayed than described in words on a keyboard, thats for sure. lol.I'll agree with you on that. Any chance of getting a clip up of someone doing it once? PM me if you need help doing so.

So what is the "muscle memory drill" -- just working through the proper swing in slo motion?

[bob_r]

Yea. I like him a lot.

Is the marlins drill on the DVD with the drills?

[Mark H]

You get feedback especially regarding the plane of your swing. The goal of hitting is to hit line drives. Can you consistently hit line drives off of a tee? In some ways, hitting into a net distorts how you are hitting and no, you cannot tell how well a ball is hit just by feel or sound.

I very much agree with this. Immediate objective feedback is hugely important in motor learning.

[Mark H]

In another thread a poster felt that pepper and self-toss were not very worthwhile drills. So what hitting activities would be your top 3 choices?

Mine:

1. Good quality live bp ON A FIELD.
2. Tee work on a field,not into a net.
3. Standing in the batters box when a good pitcher is warming up, seeing curves,etc. Just tracking.
4. (Sorry couldn't leave this out) Weight lifting.

To me, this is like asking which three medicines would a doctor carry if he was going to be away from civilization for an extended stay. No doubt there are some very good answers and choices but you could still find yourself without the medicine/drill you needed to fix a kid. I don't care for the coaches who have everyone do the same drill regardless or the coaches who push a drill on a kid who is absolutely raking and should just be left alone to do what they have been doing. Drills, to me, are like medicine. They should be used to maintain or cure rather than as if the same drills were good for everyone.

[BallCoach06]

Is the marlins drill on the DVD with the drills?

He has a several variations of stride separation and walk through drills on the DVD. He does not call it the "Marlins drill" on the DVD.

It is a two DVD set. The first DVD breaks down the mechanics of the swing and the second DVD is a drill series of approximately 20 drills or so.

[omg]

To me, this is like asking which three medicines would a doctor carry if he was going to be away from civilization for an extended stay. No doubt there are some very good answers and choices but you could still find yourself without the medicine/drill you needed to fix a kid. I don't care for the coaches who have everyone do the same drill regardless or the coaches who push a drill on a kid who is absolutely raking and should just be left alone to do what they have been doing. Drills, to me, are like medicine. They should be used to maintain or cure rather than as if the same drills were good for everyone.

Maybe I should have phrased it as being "what are the staples". For fix-it I myself would use some different notions than what I mentioned, too.

[GetYourBestSwing]

Is the marlins drill on the DVD with the drills?

BallCoach answered this... thanks


I call it the "Marlins Drill" to make it clear that is where I got it and not trying to take credit for making it up. If I show the drill at a camp or even to my own players, I make sure I explain where we got the drill.


BallCoach - do you have the DVD's?

[BallCoach06]

BallCoach answered this... thanks


I call it the "Marlins Drill" to make it clear that is where I got it and not trying to take credit for making it up. If I show the drill at a camp or even to my own players, I make sure I explain where we got the drill.


BallCoach - do you have the DVD's?

Yes, I have both of the DVD's.

[PhilliesPhan22]

1. Good live BP
2. Good live BP
3. Good live BP

[Mark H]

1. Good live BP
2. Good live BP
3. Good live BP

Until there's something that needs fixing, yeah. Or if a successful hitter is in a routine of doing certain drills, then let them continue that routine.

[PhilliesPhan22]

Until there's something that needs fixing, yeah. Or if a successful hitter is in a routine of doing certain drills, then let them continue that routine.

True. I do my tee work and other solo drills. But if you were to throw live BP to me right now, I'd probably swing and miss at the first couple of pitches b/c I have no one to throw to me and hitting off of a machine just isn't the same.

[okava]

I'll agree with you on that. Any chance of getting a clip up of someone doing it once? PM me if you need help doing so.

So what is the "muscle memory drill" -- just working through the proper swing in slo motion?

Found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA_PK6JPg9Y&eurl=http://www.floridamarlins-on-youtube.info/rss/home/

[okava]

I thought so. I have seen him speak a few times and also have his DVD's. I like his stuff as well. Solid coach.

Ball Coach
I have watched both videos and I'm not sure about the Muscle Memory Drill.
The Marlin Drill isn't on either one of the DVD's

All of John's drill are over @ mlbatting with the names

[GetYourBestSwing]

Ball Coach
I have watched both videos and I'm not sure about the Muscle Memory Drill.
The Marlin Drill isn't on either one of the DVD's

All of John's drill are over @ mlbatting with the names


I call it the "Marlins Drill".... he doesn't call it this in the DVD. That is explained if you read this whole thread. Sorry for any confusion.

It's the drill where you take the knob of the bat to your knee, stay balanced, then seperate and hit.

[bob_r]

mine is

1. hitting off the Personal Pitcher Pro at full speed (golf wiffle balls)
2. hitting off a tee
3. light weight lifting


I would agree with the personal pitcher pro. My son just got it and we both love it. We set it up in the garage and when he gets tired I do it - its so much fun. I didn't get him the small stick yet so he's just using his regular -3 bat, that's ok because he's getting used to the heavier bat.