Pop Stop Drill
October 2006
By: Bill Martin
EQUIPMENT: Balls, Bats, Gloves
PURPOSE: Teaches bat control and contact with palm up palm down style.
Coach is tossing batting practice 10-15 feet away. Hitter is in the batter's box with her back knee on the ground and front leg extended straight out enough to keep foot flat on pointed toward opposing box. Hands are in stance position.
Coach tosses a ball in strike zone.
Hitter fires the barrel as if to hit but stops at contact with a one 1,000 pause. Hands should be in palm up palm down position.
Each swing the hitter tries to hit the ball harder by popping the bat at the ball (reference to popping an object with a wet towel.)
Coaches are looking at three main points:
- Barrel to ball in short distance.
- Bat angle and hand position at contact point.
- Contact point so extension through the ball is still available.
The reason for being on the knee is to allow the hitter to focus directly on her hands and arms.
This drill is good for line drive building, as well as what has been explained. Another reason for this drill is if you are having problems with hitters rolling their wrist through the zone.
I have coached at Division One Level in fast pitch as a hitting coach and I am currently doing lessons at PrimeTime Sports Center. This drill has been a noticeable help in the success of my athletes.
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