Batting

The video below features former West Hill player Maddie Belden as she breaks down how we teach batting. Scroll down for a step by step guide with photos.

Step by step

1. Grip

  • Wrap your fingers around the bat
  • Have a loose grip
  • Align knocking knuckles
Wrap your fingers around the bat.
Wrap your fingers around the bat.
Wrap your fingers around the bat.
Wrap your fingers around the bat.
bat with knuckles aligned
Align your knocking knuckles.
bat with knuckles aligned
Align your knocking knuckles.

2. Stance

  • Make an "A" with your arms
  • Relaxed athletic stance
  • Feet shoulder width apart
batting stance
Feet shoulder width apart, knees bent in an athletic stance.
batting stance
Feet shoulder width apart, knees bent in an athletic stance.

3. Load

  • Transfer weight to back leg
  • You should feel pressure in your "back pocket"
  • "Stack" your weight with your shoulder over your knee over your ankle
load position
Weight aligned along back leg, ready to explode.
load position
Weight aligned along back leg, ready to explode.

4. Explosion into Contact

  • Motion starts from the ground up
  • As we start turning our hips, our hands drive towards the ball
  • Hands should be in a palm up/palm down position at the point of contact
point of contact
Leading from the hips, we end up with our bat across the strike zone. Hands should be above the barrel in a palm up/palm down position.
point of contact
Leading from the hips, we end up with our bat across the strike zone. Hands should be above the barrel in a palm up/palm down position.

5. Extension

  • Swing through at contact
  • We want to feel like we're driving the ball back towards the pitcher
  • Bring our arms all the way around and follow through towards the outfield
follow through
Guide the bat straight out towards centre field. Let the bat swing around for full power.
follow through
Guide the bat straight out towards centre field. Let the bat swing around for full power.