How Do You Become a Hitting Instructor? Hitting in Baseball

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Teaching Hitting Techniques

Hitting coaches instruct players on hitting techniques and preparation. They use video to prepare hitters and identify flaws.

  • Grip and Stance: Start with grip and stance instruction.
  • Swing Drills: Implement drills for batting technique.
  • Video Analysis: Help players identify and correct flaws in their swing.

How do you properly hit?

  1. Stand facing the pitcher with feet apart.
  2. Bend at the hips, keeping the back straight.
  3. Point the front shoulder toward the pitcher.
  4. Keep eyes on the ball.
  5. Maintain level shoulders.

Baseball Knowledge and Communication

To teach hitting effectively:

  • You need strong knowledge of baseball and hitting mechanics.
  • Experience playing at a high level helps.
  • It is crucial to communicate effectively with players to ensure understanding.

Pitching Basics

Teaching Pitching

To teach pitching:

  • Understand the basics like stance, leg lift, release, and follow through.
  • Employ drills for improving accuracy.
  • Adjust the instruction according to age and ability.
  • Make the practice sessions enjoyable.

When to Start Throwing Breaking Balls

Experts recommend starting to throw breaking balls between the ages of 13-16.

Practice and Encouragement

When teaching hitting:

  • Keep it Simple: Break down the movements and focus on the feel.
  • Positive Reinforcement: Use lots of encouragement and patience.
  • Continuous Practice: With regular practice, any player can learn the proper hitting technique.

Hitting Difficulties

How hard is hitting a baseball?

  • At the highest levels, hitting a fastball is extremely challenging.
  • Once pitched, the ball takes 400-500 milliseconds to reach home plate.
  • Hitting requires total body coordination, precise timing, balance, rhythm, and strength.

Starting Young Athletes

How far can a 10-year-old hit?

  • Begin with a plastic bat and softball to prevent injury.
  • Teach the correct grip, stance, and swinging technique.
  • Adjust the training specifics by age and skill level.
  • Use a batting tee to concentrate on grip, stance, and making contact.

Role of a Hitting Coach in MLB

What does a hitting coach do?

  • They prepare hitters using video analysis to pinpoint weaknesses.
  • Communication is key, along with a strong background in baseball knowledge and experience at a high playing level.

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