Baseball Hitting Principles Version 2 Scott Kluemper 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 1
Table of Contents Page Swing Phases 3 Stance 4 Negative Move 10 Positive Move 12 Toe Touch 15 Heel Plant 17 Posture Lines 19 Rotation 23 Addition & Connection 32 Bat Lag 34 Release 36 Contact 41 Extension 47 Finish 50 Timing 53 Adjustments 57 Drills 84 Mental Game 110 Coaching Tips 114 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 2
Swing - Phases Preparation Stance Load Toe Touch Performed on every pitch Lots of time to prepare swing When pitcher starts to move forward batter moves back Swing Start slow and accelerate swing Heel plant, rotation, contact, extension, finish 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 3
Stance - Principles 1. Balanced 2. Good athletic position 3. Inverted V (knees inside feet) 4. Weight on balls of feet 5. Good two eyed look at pitcher 6. Can see variation from hitter to hitter 7. Little bit of movement sense center of gravity, relieves tension, promotes rhythm 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 4
Stance - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 5
Stance Principles (Toe Touch) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 6
Stance - Principles Ivan Rodriguez Victor Martinez 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 7
Stance - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 8
Stance - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 9
Negative Move - Principles 1. Foot is square to plate 2. Shift weight to back leg 3. Head is in front of belly button - Center of gravity is behind head 4. Weight is on inside of foot 5. Back knee is inside of front foot 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 10
Negative Move - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 11
Positive Move - Principles 1. Circles should not intersect(negative to positive) 2. Back elbow should have separation with body at toe touch 3. Need to get back to center at toe touch 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 12
Positive Move - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 13
Positive Move - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 14
Toe Touch - Principles 1. Stride foot is at 45 degree angle to plate 2. Equal bend in knees 3. Knees are inside feet 4. Should be balanced in toe touch position... draw vertical line 5. Hips square to plate 6. Shoulders level with slight turn in no more than 12 degrees 7. Front hand inside front elbow 8. Back hand is equal or behind back elbow 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 15
Toe Touch - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 16
Heel Plant- Principles 1. Balanced with stride foot at 45 degree angle to plate 2. Start of rotation (Can start prior somewhere between toe touch and heel plant) 3. At least 50% of weight on front leg 4. Stops positive move 5. After heel plant head should not move forward move to rotation 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 17
Heel Plant- Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 18
Posture Lines - Principles Lines from inside eye to belt 1. Negative move 2. Toe touch 3. Heel Plant At Negative move sloped. At Toe touch and heel plant it is crucial that line is mostly vertical. 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 19
Posture Lines - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 20
Posture Lines - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 21
Posture Lines - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 22
Rotation - Principles 1. First move starts with front elbow moving toward pitcher 2. Swing starts slow and accelerates to contact 3. Hands inside front elbow 4. Back elbow moves down and closing on hip 5. Head remains still 6. Rotate around front hip 7. Do not begin rotation until balanced position has been obtained indicated by vertical line showing equal weight distribution 8. Arms A. Top hand elbow must lead hands... similar to skipping a rock. Enables greater velocity for bat head. B. Bottom hand elbow mimics frisbee throw 9. Front leg straightens during rotation 10. Hip rotation stops at contact... allows energy to be transferred to arms and hands 11. Hip turns the foot. Foot does not turn hip 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 23
First Move Elbow moves forward 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 24
First Move Elbow moves forward, Hands inside front elbow 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 25
Rotation - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 26
Rotation - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 27
Rotation - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 28
Rotation - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 29
Rotation - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 30
Rotation - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 31
Addition & Connection - Principles Addition - concept of adding forces together. Closing the elbow plus rotation (speed of hips) plus release of bat adds force to the swing. Think of it as changing gears to increase force of the swing. Different parts of body each contribute therefore we don't have to exert high effort on any one part. Connection - Position of the swing where the hands pass in front of the back shoulder. Maintain angle and leverage with the position of the bat. Line up hand, elbow and seam of short. 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 32
Connection - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 33
Bat Lag - Principles 1. Hands are in front of center of gravity 2. Weight is in front side 3. Back heel is off ground 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 34
Bat Lag - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 35
Release - Principles 1. Barrel should accelerate and move a lot more than hands. 2. Can measure movement of hands at bat lag and compare to movement of barrel at contact. 3. Hands should be palm up, palm down 4. Top hand should allow bat to move toward fingertips 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 36
Release - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 37
Release - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 38
Release - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 39
Release - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 40
Contact - Principles 1. Hands palm up/palm down 2. Wrists straight 3. Bottom hand elbow above hands 4. Hands above barrel 5. Shoulder, hip, knee aligned 6. Eyes looking at ball 7. Arms at an angle 8. Angle between arms some flex in elbows 9. Don't roll wrists at contact 10. Maximum bat speed at contact 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 41
Contact - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 42
Contact - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 43
Contact - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 44
Contact - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 45
Contact - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 46
Extension - Principles 1. Extend after contact 2. Don't roll wrists 3. Don't release bat until after extension 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 47
Extension - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 48
Extension - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 49
Finish - Principles 1. OK to let go of bat with top hand in finish 2. Rolling wrists occurs in finish 3. Lower the pitch the higher the finish Higher the pitch the lower the finish 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 50
Finish - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 51
Finish - Principles 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 52
Timing 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 53
Timing Plenty of time to get ready to swing Release of pitch starts the clock for hitter Pitch takes about.4 seconds to reach plate Hitter takes about.1-.12 seconds to go from start of rotation to contact Start slow and accelerate bat through zone Increases time to make adjustments to swing Generally batter Loads (negative move) as pitcher is putting foot down Starts forward as pitcher is releasing the ball Reaches ready position with ball halfway to plate Common problems Being a statue in stance Need some movement to help balance and promote timing Waiting too long and starting swing too fast Start slow, fast at contact, slow at finish 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 54
Timing 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 55
Timing 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 56
Adjustments 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 57
Adjustments Inside to Out Inside to Out Adjust from inside to outside Prepare for up and in pitch and adjust to outside Hands even to inside front elbow Clear space for arms and hands On outside pitch head moves away from ball to seek balance Swing starts the same keeping hands inside elbow allows hitter to adjust Elbow separates and hands release early on outside pitch Common Problems Poor ready position with hands outside front elbow Move hands inside front elbow No room for the hands and arms to swing down the line of the pitch Create more room with more bend in knees and waist Elbow behind body Move elbow away from body 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 58
Adjustment Inside to Out (Clear Space) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 59
Adjustment Inside to Out (Clear Space) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 60
Adjustment Inside to Out (Head moves away on outside pitch to seek balance) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 61
Adjustment Inside to Out (Common Problems Hands outside elbow) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 62
Adjustment Inside to Out (Common Problems Hands outside elbow) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 63
Adjustment Inside to Out (Common Problems No room for arms to swing down line of pitch) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 64
Adjustment Inside to Out (Common Problems elbow too far behind body) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 65
Adjustments Above to Below Above to Below Same through first move First adjustment is to get bat on plane with the ball Keep a fairly straight angle at toe touch Line drawn should be straight down to outside edge of plate Makes bat feel lighter and easier to get on plane Low pitch more tilt, high pitch less tilt Hands above ball 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 66
Adjustment High to Low (same first move) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 67
Adjustment High to Low (bat starts to flatten on high pitch) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 68
Adjustment High to Low (bat starts to flatten on high pitch) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 69
Adjustment High to Low (Get bat on plane with ball) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 70
Adjustment High to Low (at toe touch high bat angle) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 71
Adjustment High to Low (tilt) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 72
Adjustment High to Low (finish) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 73
Adjustments Speed Speed Times Fastball 0.4 seconds from release to plate Curveball 0.55 seconds from release to plate Swing 0.1 0.12 seconds from start rotation to contact Great hitters have ability to adjust to off speed pitch 3 Adjustments Hitting in big zone allows for 0.03 sec variation Delay onset of first move allows for 0.15 sec variation Slow everything down last resort Prepare to hit fast adjust to slow Delay by not moving back elbow Continue to move forward deeper into front leg Key is to get to toe touch position with pressure between knees and hips square in order to delay rotation Hands stay live and independent 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 74
Adjustments Speed (Hitting big zone) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 75
Adjustments Speed (Delay start) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 76
Adjustments Speed (Delay start) Maintain pressure between knees 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 77
Adjustments Speed (Delay start) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 78
Adjustments Speed (Slow down last resort) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 79
Common Problems Adjustments Speed Losing pressure between the knees by opening front knee upon toe touch Losing pressure between the knees by coming up out of our legs Stay even or move deeper into our legs Losing pressure between the knees because the back knee moves toward home plate 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 80
Adjustments Speed (Common Problems Losing Pressure between knees by opening knee) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 81
Adjustments Speed (Common Problems coming up out of our legs) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 82
Adjustments Speed (Common Problems back knee moves toward home plate) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 83
Drills 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 84
Separation Drill Drills Negative Move Description: Bat on shoulder close to neck Problem Addressed: Forces players to separate hands and elbows from belt buckle during positive move 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 85
Skater Drill Drills Negative(Load) to Positive Description: Move side to side as a skater to promote necessary load and pressure between knees Problem Addressed: Loading mechanics and pressure between knees 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 86
Drills Negative(Load) to Positive Bosu Ball Posture Drill, or [4x6 Drill to 2x4 Drill to flat ground] Description: Hit off Bosu ball on back foot Problem Addressed: Forces an attacking posture and a good positive move 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 87
Drills Negative(Load) to Positive Walk up drill Description: Walk up to the ball and swing Problem Addressed: Not creating momentum and energy to swing the bat 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 88
Drills Negative(Load) to Positive Tap back drill Description: Bring foot back to create an attacking position Problem Addressed: Helps create an attacking position 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 89
Drills Live & Independent Hands Tipping bat drill Description: Tip bat towards pitcher promotes live and independent hands Problem Addressed: Player with hands that are not live and independent 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 90
Drills Live & Independent Hands Show the Hole Drill Description: Show hole to the pitcher and then close on the swing Problem Addressed: Player with hands that are not live and independent 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 91
Stride & Stop to Swing Drills Toe Touch Description: Stride and stop at toe touch then check below finish swing Balance 50/50 weight Knees inside feet Front foot 45 degrees Maintain pressure between knees (Use large ball) Hips square Shoulders level Hands even to behind back elbow Steep angle in bat 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 92
Flat Foot Drill Drills - Rotation Description: Keep feet flat when loading and transferring weight Problem Addressed: Helps player feel how posture enables weight to transfer from inside of back leg to inside of front leg through rotation 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 93
No Hips Drill Drills - Rotation Description: Don t rotate hips during swing Problem Addressed: Used if a player is starting rotation too early. 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 94
Unassisted One Arm Drill Drills - Rotation Description: Swing with top hand on end of bat. Bottom hand resting on knob below. Swing normally but leave bottom hand in ready position Problem Addressed: Used if a player is pulling front shoulder off ball 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 95
Side Arm Throw Assisted Drills - Rotation Description: Throw a ball sidearm while keeping hand on a teammates hand. Hand should not come off until throw is released Problem Addressed: Helps a player to understand when their front shoulder should come off ball. Backside should force shoulder off. 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 96
Weight Transfer Drill Drills - Rotation Description: Put softball behind heel. Object is to not have ball move on swing Problem Addressed: Squishing the bug 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 97
Drills Swing Mechanics (Acceleration) Slotted grip drill Description: Make a loose fist with top hand and place the bat against the fingernails and palms Problem Addressed: Forces players to start swing slow and accelerate thru the swing 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 98
Drills Swing Mechanics (Arm Movement) Interlocking Throw Drill Description: Throw a ball side arm with fingers interlocked to feel correct movement of arms Problem Addressed: Proper arm movement on swing 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 99
Drills Swing Mechanics (Arm Movement) Chuck-It Drill Description: Utilize chuck-it tool to isolate each arm in swing Problem Addressed: Forces players to start swing slow and accelerate thru the swing 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 100
Drills Swing Mechanics (Arm Movement) Hammer drill Description: Utilize hammer to hit end of the bat Problem Addressed: Helps hitter to understand the proper arm placement 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 101
Drills Swing Mechanics (Arm Movement) Up the Middle Drill Description: Set tee middle in, 3 inches out in front of where the foot lands. Player must drive ball up the middle. Problem Addressed: Promotes proper swing path 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 102
Drills Swing Mechanics (Hands) High Tee Description: Place tee high out front of plate on inside corner Problem Addressed: Fixes the problem of dropping hands 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 103
Drills Adjustment (Location) Tennis Ball Fence Drill Description: Set up 9 balls mapping entire strike zone on fence. Make sure hitter starts with high inside pitch and adjusts to other pitches Problem Addressed: Makes sure hitter approaches swing in correct manner 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 104
Drills Adjustment (Location) Batbuster 400 Drill Description: Promotes hitting off sweet spot of bat Problem Addressed: Not hitting sweet spot. 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 105
Drills Adjustment (Speed) Ball between knees drill Description: Swing with ball between knees Problem Addressed: Helps to maintain pressure between knees until swing starts 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 106
Drills Adjustment (Speed) Riding drill (Advanced) Description: Place tee in front of plate. Maintain pressure between knees, hips square, while moving forward into the front leg, hands must stay live and independent as hitter moves forward Problems Addressed: Enables hitter to adjust from fast to slow 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 107
Drills Adjustment (Speed) XLR8 Ball Drill Description: Use XLR8 balls to show change in pitch speed Problem Addressed: Helps hitters adjust from fastball to breaking balls 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 108
Drills Adjustment (Speed) High Speed Drill Description: Have hitter close distance between pitcher as he starts to get barrel on ball Problem Addressed: Helps hitters to start every swing early and only stop if ball is out of strike zone 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 109
Mental Game 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 110
Mental Game Hitting Build a Database See different pitcher See different pitches Understand after every pitch if late or early Approach What can the pitcher throw Situation What is my plan» Get on base?, Advance runner? Drive in runner? Count At lower levels dictates pitch you will see 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 111
Mental Game Hitting Progression Dugout Study pitcher What does he throw? Fastball?, Changeup?, Curveball Talk to teammates Any tells? On-Deck Get loose Quality swings Time pitcher Know situation outs, runners on base, score At Bat Just prior to stepping in box Get sign Decide what you are trying to do move runner, get on base, drive in runner Batters Box Relax & React Don t think 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 112
Hitting Progression Batters Box Mental Game Understand count and type of swing Fastball Counts» 3-0, 3-1, 2-0, 2-1, 1-0, 0-0» 3-2 if Even Counts Pitcher is struggling with off-speed If you are lower in order If next hitter is a great hitter The game is a blow out» 0-0, 1-1, 2-2» 3-2 Expect 2 seam fastballs down and away or change ups Pitcher will throw what he is comfortable with» If two strikes set your swing velocity for mid-velocity pitch protect Off-Speed Counts» 2 strike counts» Will try to make you chase breaking balls» Set swing velocity to mid-velocity protect 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 113
Mental Game 1% better everyday It takes sacrifice, patience, and persistence to become a champion Enjoy the struggle Being #2 Team comes 1 st Trust Build trust through the process Game moves too fast to think must react Prepare for practice same as you prepare for games The difference between good and great is how you react to an action Next play Practice reps trust the process Great at bat but no results 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 114
Coaching Tips 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 115
Coaching Tips Students learn 20% of what they hear 50% of what they see 70% of what they feel and experience Drills do the teaching Helps player feel the correct move Show player in video or in mirror what they are doing Generalization Use things they already know Skipping a rock (back arm swing movement) Hammer (arm swing movement) Throwing a frisbee (front arm swing movement) Crouching tiger (attack ball in stance) 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 116
Coaching Tips Know difference between good and bad pressure Stay positive especially in games Build kids up to let them know they can play at this level Get them to understand and trust in the process Breed Confidence Make practices challenging and fast to speed things up to game speed Challenge them in practice (tear down and build up) Make them understand practice day = game day Learning curve kids will learn at different rates 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 117
Coaching Tips Hitting becomes a reaction Muscle memory Database Playing games, seeing breaking balls Practice Think Mechanics (Tear down and build up) Game Think Swing (Encouragement, Build Confidence) Keep things simple You can t correct everything at once Progress through the swing from beginning to end like building a house Listen to find out if they have absorbed the instruction Swinging on every pitch until the pitch leaves the strike zone 2/17/2013 Scott Kluemper 118