Tuesday, June 16, 2009

How to Hit For Power in Baseball

By Joe Brockhoff
Hitting for power has always been associated with the big strong player. But in our research, we have discovered it is not so much the size of the player, but rather the strength of his hands.
If strength needs to be improved, it is in the hands and wrists. The ability to use the body is also imperative. Big guys and little guys can hit for distance if they incorporate body action in their strokes. This means they have learned to use their hips first, and hands last, with a powerful snapping action.

It is imperative that the batter develops a quick pivot and quick hands. Many young players never develop power because they are taught to just "meet the ball." It's a common phrase in baseball. As a result, many hitters stop their hands on contact and they never hit through the ball.

A hitter must be aggressive. Hitting is controlled aggression, while maintaining balance and control.

Another problem young hitters have comes from watching baseball on TV. They let the top hand go too soon. My suggestion-finish with both hands. This will further incorporate hitting through the ball.

Add to this the problem that many players are taught baseball hitting drills by getting their hands out over the plate on contact. Some times this is as a result of being taught incorrectly to get extension over the plate. Extension does not occur on contact, but rather after contact. When hitters try to extend on contact, it is like sawing wood, using too much arms and shoulders. This method will not power the ball.

In order to learn how to hit for power in baseball the hitter has to get his hands out in front of the body to contact the ball, with the top hand over the bat, and the bottom hand under the bat. The top hand is then like a hammer on contact.

Using the hands like this will increase bat speed at least 30-40% more than the arm swing.

How to hit for power in baseball comes down to :

1. A strong body
2. Quick hips
3. Especially quick hands, out front on contact
4. Hitting through the ball
5. Being aggressive

Former Tulane Hall of Fame Baseball Coach, Joe Brockhoff, fully explains his baseball hitting drills with the Super 8 Hitting System, completely demonstrated with videos and baseball hitting tips to help you hit with more power and raise your batting average.
http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Brockhoff

1 comment:

Sage Advice said...

Not sure if I can agree with hands out in front.

The hips should lead the hands and and the hands should not allow the arms to extend at contact.

Here read this to discover what I mean.

Rotational Hitting Mechanics