The Stance
The batting stance should be a comfortable, balanced, yet athletic body position. A lot of times, flaws
in a hitter's stance will lead to mechanical problems when the swing occurs. I like to break the stance
down into four key areas.
1) Grip
2) Feet and Body Positioning
3) Shoulder and Head Positioning
4) Bat positioning
in a hitter's stance will lead to mechanical problems when the swing occurs. I like to break the stance
down into four key areas.
1) Grip
2) Feet and Body Positioning
3) Shoulder and Head Positioning
4) Bat positioning
Grip
The way a hitter grips the bat can have a lot to do with the result of his contact. First of all, the bat
should lie in the callous of the top hand as shown in grip photo one to the right.. When the hands
are closed, the middle knuckles of both hands should be close to being lined up (off-set just a bit).
These are the knuckles that we would use to knock on a door (refer to grip photo two). Take this
grip and hold the bat out in front of you. Begin to twirl it around in a figure 8-type fashion. You should
feel that your wrists roll freely without discomfort. If you tried this same movement with an improper
grip (such as one with your large knuckles lined up), you will feel a lot of discomfort and restriction of
wrist mobility. A good way to check for proper grip is to point both index fingers. If gripped properly,
they should be aligned.
Next be sure that the bat is held gently in your hands. We do not want to be squeezing the handle of
the bat. Instead, our fingers should be closed just firmly enough that we have control of the bat. The
semi-loose grip of the bat will add to the relaxed nature of the stance.
The way a hitter grips the bat can have a lot to do with the result of his contact. First of all, the bat
should lie in the callous of the top hand as shown in grip photo one to the right.. When the hands
are closed, the middle knuckles of both hands should be close to being lined up (off-set just a bit).
These are the knuckles that we would use to knock on a door (refer to grip photo two). Take this
grip and hold the bat out in front of you. Begin to twirl it around in a figure 8-type fashion. You should
feel that your wrists roll freely without discomfort. If you tried this same movement with an improper
grip (such as one with your large knuckles lined up), you will feel a lot of discomfort and restriction of
wrist mobility. A good way to check for proper grip is to point both index fingers. If gripped properly,
they should be aligned.
Next be sure that the bat is held gently in your hands. We do not want to be squeezing the handle of
the bat. Instead, our fingers should be closed just firmly enough that we have control of the bat. The
semi-loose grip of the bat will add to the relaxed nature of the stance.
Four Key Elements of the Stance
Hitter's Feet and Body Positioning
A hitter's feet should be more than shoulder width apart. Both feet should point into the opposite
batter's box. The hitter should feel as if he is locked in to a strong balanced position. He should have
a slight bend in the knees with a slight forward lean in the torso. This is known as an athletic
position. His weight should be evenly distributed with the center of gravity being through the
mid-line of the body.
A hitter's feet should be more than shoulder width apart. Both feet should point into the opposite
batter's box. The hitter should feel as if he is locked in to a strong balanced position. He should have
a slight bend in the knees with a slight forward lean in the torso. This is known as an athletic
position. His weight should be evenly distributed with the center of gravity being through the
mid-line of the body.
Hitter's Shoulder and Head Positioning
When describing the position of the shoulders, I like to use the following analogy:
When you stand in the batter's box, picture a fictitious mirror across from you in the opposite box.
When you look into that mirror, you should be able to read whatever is on the front of your shirt
from shoulder to shoulder. If you have to turn slightly to read it, your shoulder alignment is off.
Using a mirror in your house is the best way to observe your shoulder alignment during a stance. If
your shoulders are aligned, then your head will be also be in correct position. More, importantly,
you will be able to see the pitcher with both eyes without having to strain your neck to do so. You
should have a slight downward tilt to your head to stay consistent with the posture of your torso.
When describing the position of the shoulders, I like to use the following analogy:
When you stand in the batter's box, picture a fictitious mirror across from you in the opposite box.
When you look into that mirror, you should be able to read whatever is on the front of your shirt
from shoulder to shoulder. If you have to turn slightly to read it, your shoulder alignment is off.
Using a mirror in your house is the best way to observe your shoulder alignment during a stance. If
your shoulders are aligned, then your head will be also be in correct position. More, importantly,
you will be able to see the pitcher with both eyes without having to strain your neck to do so. You
should have a slight downward tilt to your head to stay consistent with the posture of your torso.
Hitter's Bat Positioning
The easiest way for a hitter to get his bat into a good position during the stance is to lay it on his
back shoulder and then lift it off about six inches. This is a perfect pre-load position for both the
hands and the bat itself. The barrel of the bat should be positioned at a 45 degree angle off of the
back shoulder.
Be sure that you tell your hitter to relax his elbows during his stance. A relaxed set of elbows
will allow the hands to work free from any constriction when preparing to load, and during the start
of the swing as well. See the link below.
The High Elbow Misconception
The easiest way for a hitter to get his bat into a good position during the stance is to lay it on his
back shoulder and then lift it off about six inches. This is a perfect pre-load position for both the
hands and the bat itself. The barrel of the bat should be positioned at a 45 degree angle off of the
back shoulder.
Be sure that you tell your hitter to relax his elbows during his stance. A relaxed set of elbows
will allow the hands to work free from any constriction when preparing to load, and during the start
of the swing as well. See the link below.
The High Elbow Misconception
Click Photos to Enlarge
| GRIP PHOTO 2 |
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| GRIP PHOTO 1 |
FEET POSITIONING
| INCORRECT SHOULDER POSITIONING |
FEATURED LINKS
VIDEO CLIP
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