Develop an Aggressive Batting Swing

The Beginning Hitting Series

Baseball and Fastpitch Softball

 

This post details 3 concepts and shows 1 game to demonstrate how to teach your beginning hitter to develop an aggressive batting swing habit.

Click the link to view our video version of Develop an Aggressive Batting Swing (please like our video and subscribe to our YouTube channel – thank you!).

 

Concept 1 for Developing an Aggressive Batting Swing

Teach the Intention to Swing Hard

 

As scientists continue to uncover, the mind and body have an amazing ability to adapt and accomplish the desired goal. If the intention is to drive the ball hard, the hitter’s body will move to accomplish that goal.

Shifting a hitter’s primary goal from simply making some contact, or any contact, to hitting the ball hard can dramatically change the young hitter’s movements.

 

Concept 2 for Developing an Aggressive Batting Swing

Let the Hitter Move Naturally At First

 

Let the hitter move naturally at first without too much coaching.

It is valuable to observe what the hitter feels they need to do to generate power. It gives the coach and parent a baseline they can build on.

 

Concept 3 for Developing an Aggressive Batting Swing

Develop for the Future

 

Ask most youth hitters their primary goal, they will typically exclaim, “not to strike out!”

But as the hitter gets older and the level of play increases, the higher the rate of hard-hit balls, the more successful they will be.

Develop your hitters for the future by measuring and tracking the number of hard-hit balls for each player. Recognize, award, and celebrate the rate of hard hits, and don’t make a big deal over strikeouts. Praise the hitter’s effort when they swing aggressively and miss the ball.

As the developing hitter’s body, skills, and abilities progress, their mechanics and mindset will be aligned.

 

Game 1 – Swing Hard at a Good Pitch

A simple batting cage game should be a practice staple.

A batting cage game is great for focusing the hitter on:

The better the hitter does both, the higher their score will be.

Use machine or overhand pitch. The hitter gets 10 swings. Foul balls don’t count. The hitter should try to let the bad pitches go. Being selective will increase their score. Score 1 point for any ground ball or ball which hits the top of the batting cage. Score 3 points for any line drive into the sides. Set up a home run 4 point area in the pull gap. In my cage, it is the basketball backboard. The hitter learns they need to swing hard to score 3 or 4 points.

Keep the hitter’s tally and continually try to beat it. Confidence increases as they see their score going up.

 

Building Rome Series Blog: The Beginning Hitting Series

Here are the 12 videos and articles contained in The Beginning Hitting Series:

Introduction to the Beginning Hitting Series

Seven Steps to Successful Youth Coaching

Best Bats Ages 9 and Under

Top 5 Priorities for the Beginning Hitter

Choose a Bat in 5 Steps

Improving Vision of the Beginning Hitter

Improving Hand-Eye Coordination

Position in the Batters Box

How to Overcome Fear of Being Hit

How to Improve Plate Discipline

Check Swing to Increase Productivity

Develop an Aggressive Batting Swing

Click the link for The Beginning Hitting Series on YouTube

 

Building Rome Series Books: Building the High-Level Swing Series

Click Building the High-Level Swing Series to learn more about our new two-book hitting series containing a detailed and comprehensive description of 100 hitting fundamentals and 140 step-by-step drills that efficiently construct the batting swing from the ground up.

In the Building Rome Series of books, the construction of skills are in functional order, providing a “roadmap” to becoming a great hitter.

All baseball and fastpitch softball players can “climb the Roman Coliseum steps” to become a powerful and productive hitter.

Enjoy the quest!