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14
Hurricane
Category
4
Instructions For Use
Procedure:
The batter assumes the regular contact position. The batter takes
5 swings right-handed and then takes 5 swings left-handed. The batter can
practice hitting a still or moving ball.
Recommended Number of Swings:
Beginners: 3 sets of 5 swings from
each side allowing 15 swings from both sides (30 swings total). Advanced
Players should double or triple this workout as their strength and skill improves.
Coaching Point:
The batter must allow the ball to stop and reverse
directions when the batter switches sides. “FRONT-SIDE CLOSURE” and
“TRIGGERING MECHANISM” should be given special attention when
practicing switch hitting. This is a simple closing movement of the batter’s
front side prior to each swing. This “closing” action helps the batter keep
the front side in and insures that solid contact is made with total plate
coverage. A batter may find it easy and natural to “trigger” from the
batter’s natural swing side. That same batter may need high numbers of
practice swings from the “adopted side” of the plate to make “triggering”
from that side to feel natural and comfortable.
DRILL: “STEP-IN-AND-HIT”
Helps correct the “Stepping Out” hitting flaw.
Objective:
This drill emphasizes “stepping into” the ball to generate power
and bat speed. This is an excellent drill to help young hitters eliminate the bad
habit of “stepping out” during the swing.
Procedure:
The batter starts the drill by standing farther away from the
machine than normal. This starting position allows the batter to take two steps
inward before swinging the bat.
The batter will step first with the back foot and then with the front foot. When
the front foot “lands” the batter attacks the ball.
The drill may be performed with a still or moving ball. The batter should take
the time to set and observe all body movement before and after each swing. It
is sometimes good to have the batter freeze after the swing to see if the proper
finish position is reached after each swing.
The batter should make sure to make contact with the ball component and not
the shaft.
Recommended Number of Swings:
10 Swings