Attack Angle (Swing Plane) for Hitters

Baseball and Fastpitch Softball

This Attack Angle (Swing Plane) for Hitters article is excerpted from The Ultimate Hitting Training Guide (click for a description of our new drills book).

For recommendations on how and when to use various training methods (dry, heavy bag, pylos, tee, toss, live, machine, etc.) and to shop for practical and durable training equipment click on the link Hitting Training Methods and Aids.

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Blast Motion Sensor

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Introduction to Measure Attack Angle (Swing Plane)

Attack angle, sometimes called swing plane, is the direction the barrel moves, up or down, at impact. A positive number means the barrel is going up at contact, zero is level, and a negative number going down.

The typical attack angle on a hard-hit groundball is -15 to 0, on a line drive is +5 to +20, and on a fly ball is +20 to +35.

Measuring attack angle is part of a hitter’s assessment. A bat sensor is the most accessible and affordable way to measure attack angle. Blast Motion, Zepp, and Diamond Kinetics are all great products.

How to Measure Attack Angle (Swing Plane)

Here are some tips for accurately evaluating attack angle:

Sensors measure attack angle at contact. When the data from a swing analyzer displays a negative attack angle, it may be the hitter is very late. They may be contacting balls too deep in the zone before the bat has begun the upswing. It’s important to remember that the swing path is a downward and then upward arc.

Attack angle is dependent on the point of contact.

The moral is, only evaluate attack angle after the hitter has the right timing and is making solid contact towards the middle of the field.

The trajectory is more level for pitches up in the zone. Therefore, the most productive attack angle varies slightly depending on the height of the pitch. Obtain useful and specific swing plane info by measuring attack angle when the pitch level (low, middle, high) is the same for each swing in the group averaged.

Take the average of five solid hits. Record the date, the pitch height, and the average attack angle.

Adjust Attack Angle (Swing Plane) to Fit the Hitter

To increase productivity by analyzing the optimum attack and launch angles for different types of hitters and levels of competition, click on Optimize Launch Angle for Baseball and Fastpitch Softball.

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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!