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There must be a hundred different theories of how to teach kids how to hit a baseball. Some are good and some not so good. The best of them all, keeps things simple. Please do not confuse them while they are trying to learn.

Hitting a baseball takes a lot of natural ability. To become a successful hitter requires exceptional hand-eye coordination and not all your players have equal amounts. However, most all who come to you will have some degree of natural ability. Thank God, there is more than one way to hit a baseball; however, they all must begin with the simple basics.

1. The hitter assumes the regular batting stance with the coach checking the placement of the feet, knees, hips, shoulders, head, and eyes.

   Hip Speed:

2. To develop and relate hip speed to the entire swing and using a glove as home plate, hold a bat behind the waist, horizontal to the ground. While holding the ends of the bat in the hands, assume a normal batting stance and watch an imaginary pitch being delivered. Execute a stride and quick turn using the bat to help turn the hips faster. Finish in the proper contact point position.

   Timing:

3. The lead hand swings allow a hitter to establish proper timing and power with the lead side of the body, giving the hitter proper contact with the ball. The follow hand swings establish the feeling of throwing the bat at the ball.
4. Hit off a tee, imaginary ball, or soft-toss. When executing swings with the lead hand, you should concentrate on keep the hand above the plane of the ball. If the lead hand drops under a pop out, strike out, or fly out will usually occur. The hitter must also turn the hips quickly for proper timing and power. The lead elbow should not extend fully before contact with the ball, since that will promote a slow bat due to an excess of arm arc in the swing.
5. By concentrating on keeping the lead hand on top of the ball and turning the hips quickly, a hitter can establish proper timing and power with the lead side of the body. The lead hand/follow hand action creates timing and power. Both hands should snap straight into the ball precisely the same instant. This will help you establish proper bat speed and control.

   Hands:

6. To increase the strength and quickness of the hands for hitting, increase the number of practice swings a hitter can perform using the correct technique.
7. The hitter stands 12-15 feet away from a screen or fence. The tosser kneels on one-knee 12 feet in front and to the side of the hitter and tosses the ball underhanded at a fast rate into the hitter's strike zone, so the hitter can take a full swing. The hitter swings hard at the ball, and after each swing, the bat is rapidly returned to the ready position.

   Stride:

8. Help the batter learn to automatically step to the ball instead of stepping out while hitting. After enough practice this will become a natural reaction.
9. Have a coach lay face down (with a batting helmet on) and hold the batters ankles. The coach will control the batter’s step and prevent the batter from stepping out. This will be uncomfortable for the batter, but a few reps every practice for awhile will really pay off.

   Bat Control:

10. To enhance bat speed and control by facilitating the maximum efficiency in "throwing" the bat at the ball.
11. Players place themselves in the contact position, and then roll the bat forward and backward causing the bat to touch each shoulder as it completes a full arc. Players should use only their wrists and forearms to rotate the bat. You should be able to do about 60-80 wrist rollers in 1 minute.

    Isolation:

12. To develop strength and skill for hitting use this one hand isolation drill. This is a soft toss drill with the coach, tossing the ball waist high, First, the batter bats using just the top hand. Gripping the bat at the top of the grip and using the bat like a tomahawk, the batter tries to get over the top of the ball and hit it into the ground, keeping the palm side of the hand down. Second, the batter bats using the bottom hand. Gripping the bat with the bottom hand in its regular position near the knob of the bat, the hitter hits the ball into the backstop keeping the palm side of the hand up.

    Bat Speed:

13. You can help players develop quicker bat swing by teaching them not extending the arms to quickly.
14. Set up your players against a solid surface, such as a chain link fence, that is at least six feet tall. A backstop, concrete wall, or brick wall will work, but a free standing net will not. Position your players with their feet in a parallel stance a foot to a foot and a half away from the fence. To check for proper distance have the players reach out with their back arms and touch the fence. If they are in the correct position, their arms will be slightly bent. The object of the drill is to take as normal of cut as possible without making contact with the fence. It is important to go through the drill as slowly as possible the first few times. Have the players take a slow motion cut the first few times. The player should take a stride parallel to the fence.

    Power:

15. Help players develop an inward turn for more hitting power.
16. Break down your players stance and inward turn into a four step process. Position the hitters in their stance and have them begin rocking back towards the catcher and forwards towards the pitcher lifting each heel off of the ground in a rhythm. The four steps are rock towards the pitcher, rock towards the catcher, rock towards the pitcher, rock towards the catcher. The motion is not exaggerated but is very slight. As the players rock back and forth call out 1, 2, 3, 4 to help them develop rhythm.