Progressive Hitting Drill: Square-Open-Regular

Hitting a baseball is, in the opinion of many, the most difficult thing to do in all of sports. Here is a progressive hitting drill that is designed to help get a hitters hands on the right path.

In the video below Ed Servais, Creighton University Head Coach and 4x Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year, demonstrates the Square-Open-Regular Hitting Drill progression.

In the first of three segments of this drill the hitter will begin facing the tosser with his chest and feet facing forward. Prior to the ball being tossed the hitter will close his front side (shoulder is now pointing towards the tosser) and will hit the tossed ball using only his hands without the aid of the lower half of his body. This forces the hitter to focus on his hands and getting them on the correct path. The goal is to make solid contact and drive the ball back up the middle.

In the second segment, the hitter will assume an open stance. The front side will be closed as before, but now there will be some slight involvement of the lower body.

In the final step of the progression, the hitter will assume a regular stance. The hitter should focus on using his hands correctly while incorporating the aid of his lower half.

This drill is just one of 25 hitting drills in Coach Servais DVD. For more informati0n about that coaching tool, click the link From Tee to Machine: 25 Hitting Drills for Baseball.

The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that your speakers are turned on and that you have access to the site. Note that some schools block access to YouTube.