High school
Hitting
All positions
Intermediate
Front-Shoulder-Closed Hitting Drill
Top-hand choke + ball-in-front constraint that keeps the front shoulder closed and down through contact, preventing the common up-and-out spin.
- Equipment:
- Bat / tee
- Duration:
- About 6 min
- Setting:
- Indoor or outdoor
- Players:
- Solo
Coaching notes
Hitter chokes up with the top hand and holds a baseball out in front. As the swing starts, the front shoulder and the held ball move down and back toward the tee ball, training a closed, downward path rather than an open, upward spin.
Objectives
Keep the front shoulder closed and down through the swing; eliminate East-to-West spin; create a more South-to-North drive through the ball.
Coaching cues
Choke the top hand; hold the ball out front; bring the front shoulder and ball down and back; stay closed through contact.
Common errors
Front shoulder flying open and up; pushing the held ball away instead of down and back; early rotation that opens the front side.
Steps
- 1. Choke up with top hand and hold a baseball straight out in front
- 2. Start the swing while bringing the held ball and front shoulder down and back toward the tee
- 3. Drive through the tee ball with a closed front shoulder
- 4. Reset and repeat
Source:
Top Level LA Baseball Academy
