High level swings start with the right load. Too many hitters want to shift their weight on to their back foot, getting their body “stacked” on the backside. When this happens, the hitter is going to push forward and it is hard not to then push your hands forward in the swing as well.
The most efficient loaders work their load in the backside, getting into a coiled position in the back hip. From here, the hitter can launch their bat like a whip, getting to the ball in an instant.
In the video, we break down a few keys to the backside load:
1. On Time
2. The Tripod
3. The Corkscrew
These three things are key to a successful backside load.
We wrapped up by talking about a “SWING STOP or CHECK SWING” drill. This drill is a good way to make sure the hitter is staying “behind” the baseball.
Most hitting coaches have worked with a player who wants to cut around or over the ball. When trying to do a swing stop, a hitter must be behind the ball to square it up - on a line to the top/back of the cage. Hopefully this feel for the hitter will translate to staying behind the ball in the game. While the swing stop is meant to progress from the load to contact, I included it in this video because it is an easy drill and can keep things simplified while working on the backside.
To release the backside, a hitter’s swing should be initiated by the turning of the barrel - NOT anything else (like driving the back knee). This turning of the barrel will keep the hitter back and hopefully avoid a pushing motion forward with the hands.