How to Teach the Level Baseball Swing

Getting a bat that starts in an almost- vertical position into a level position, parallel to the ground, isn’t easy for a Little Leaguer. When he has heard you say the strike zone is from the armpits to knees, any kid should be excused for not understanding how to execute a level swing in both the high and lowest level of the strike zone.

The answer, of course, is that he must adjust the whole body, bending the knees, while keeping the shoulders and elbows level. By so doing the swing will be level.

A drill that allows the coach, or parent, to teach a child’s level swing is the drill where the coach tosses the ball from the side and the batter hits the ball into a fence.  The coach, or parent, should purposely toss the ball at different heights within the strike zone and see if the batter adjusts the body for a level swing. This is also a good drill to practice hitting the ball in front of the plate, since the coach, or parent, can control his throw to make certain it is in a plane that is in front of the plate.

Coaches differ in opinion of positions of the feet, elbows, shoulders, and hands of a batter awaiting the pitch; however, they all agree that the swing should be parallel to the ground. The parallel rules are:

1.       Toes on a line parallel to the plate. This means the player should try to hit the ball up the middle which is most always a good place to hit.

2.       Shoulders parallel. Dipping the shoulders will move the head, making a level swing impossible.

3.       Elbows parallel. If the elbows are level going into the swing, they will more than likely be level coming out of the swing.

4.       Chin parallel to shoulders. Touching the shoulder with the chin will keep it parallel and prevent the head from moving.

5.       Arms parallel. The arms should be parallel to and away from the body before the swing. They should be parallel to the ground as they are extended in a level swing.

The above rules are simple, but easy to remember.  Once the players master the basics of hitting, the coach can start refining the other checkpoints in a gradual process of helping them to become better batters. If you teach the average 9 or 10 year-old simply to make contact with the ball you will have done your job as a coach. As they gain confidence that they can hit the ball, the will become eager to take the steps of learning more that will help them to become good hitters.

The Swing and Contact

Tell your kids, “When you swing the bat, you want to take a short, direct path to the ball. Your front arm is the one that provides that short path.” Encourage a quick, level swing, a swing that utilizes the forearms, hands, and wrists.

Never overanalyze anyone’s particular swing. Their strength and sense of timing will take charge. Let them develop their swing by swinging; however, insist the get into the proper position at the very beginning.

Generally, the point of contact is going to be out in front of the plate. This allows for good extension and greater bat speed. If you hit the ball too far back, you essentially cut your bat speed in half and you have less time and space to generate full bat speed. Conversely, if you hit the ball too far out in front, your swing is in the slow-down mode at the moment of contact.

Cal Ripken, Jr., in his book, Play Baseball the Ripken Way, has the best explanation of where the best point of contact is located. Cal tells us, “The location of the pitch will usually determine where the best point of contact is. The general rule – make contact a little bit out in front of home plate – most applies for a pitch over the middle of the plate. An outside pitch is best hit a little farther back. On an inside pitch you want to make contact further out in front.”

It is my personal opinion is that the most favorable points of contact are different for each individual. No two are exactly the same. The key is to find your best point of contact. Contact with the sweet spot on the bat head is first and foremost. Focus on getting the bat head on the ball.

The swing should start with the hitter’s hands in the ready position, which is approximately at the top of the back shoulder. As stated before, “The ideal swing is a level swing.” My advise is to put your body in a good hitting position and your swing will take care of itself.

We often hear talk about hitting an outside pitch to the opposite field; however, this is not always the case. Your swing and your timing determines the direction the ball goes. If your swing is sound, the outside pitch does not necessarily have to go to the opposite field. It is perfectly O.K. to hit the outside pitch straight down the middle. Your approach should be the same for every

Following-Through with the Swing

Swinging through the baseball is the key to the follow-through. If you don’t follow through properly, you are essentially slowing down your swing at the point of contact. You should strive for maximum bat speed at point of contact. A good follow-through is a result of maximum bat speed at the point of contact. If your swing mechanics are correct, the follow-through will take care of itself and not something you should have to think about. A good follow-through should come naturally.

There are two ways to follow-through:

1.       Keeping both hands on the bat,

2.       Releasing the top hand

Both are O.K. as long as your bat doesn’t slow down through the hitting zone.