All ages
Hitting
All positions
Beginner
Tony Gwynn Soft-Toss Timing Drill
Classic soft-toss progression emphasizing load, soft front-foot landing, and leading with the knob of the bat.
- Skill:
- path
- Equipment:
- Bat / tee
- Duration:
- About 10 min
- Setting:
- Indoor
- Players:
- Partner
Coaching notes
Hitter works soft toss with emphasis on taking the hands back, setting the front foot softly, and initiating the swing by leading with the knob.
Objectives
Install repeatable load and path mechanics that transfer to live pitching.
Coaching cues
Hands back; soft front foot; lead with the knob; stay through the ball.
Common errors
Hard front-foot plant; casting the hands; upper-body dominant swing.
Setup
Soft-toss distance; net or open field; wiffles or baseballs.
Steps
- 1. Hitter sets stance and loads
- 2. Toss underhand from the side
- 3. Hitter lands soft front foot and leads with the knob
- 4. Drive through the ball
- 5. Reset and repeat focusing on feel
