Hurricane
Category
4
Instructions For Use
13
Coaching Point:
The bat will always go where the top hand takes it with
the power generated by the bottom-hand. Players perform the “Top-Hand”
drill with the top hand in its normal position on the bat grip. There should
be an effort made to take a short, compact, and deliberate swing that
perfectly hits the “bulb” of the ball. This drill can be performed with a still
or moving ball. The batter may wish to kneel and perform this drill on one
knee to make the arms muscle work above the shoulder thus building more
strength.
DRILL: “BOTTOM-HAND”
“One-handed drill improves bat speed and power.”
Objective:
To build and develop wrist, forearm, and muscle strength in the
batter’s “bottom or pull hand”. The bottom hand generates most of the swings
power and bat-speed.
Procedure:
The batter will hit the ball using the batter’s bottom hand on the
bat grip. The batter may “step into the ball” and use the lower body, hips and
legs to help generate a more powerful swing.
Recommended Number of Swings:
Beginners should begin with 10
swings. Each week the batter should add 10 more swings until the batter can
take 60 swings with a bat of normal weight. Advanced hitters may wish to use a
weighted bat and increase the number of swings taken.
Coaching Point:
The batter should perform this drill with the “pull
or bottom hand” in its
normal position on the bats grip. There should be
an effort made to take a short, compact, and deliberate swing that perfectly
hits the “bulb” of the ball. This drill can be performed with a still or moving
ball. It is recommended that this drill be performed with the ball set at its
highest level possible to make the batter utilize the muscles of the arm
rather than using gravity to move the bat.
The ball must be chest high to the batter to maximize the benefits received.
Very tall batters may have to kneel on a knee to perform the drill.
DRILL: “SWITCH HITTING”
“Develops a batter’s ability to switch hit from both sides of the plate.”
Objective:
The batter practices batting from both sides of the plate without
having to stop, reset, or adjust the machine. This repetitive practice helps
develop a solid swing from both sides of the plate.