We’ve often heard baseball coaches tell their players, “Trust the hands!” Is that a good coaching concept?  No, I say.  It’s the opposite.  In fact, here’s one of the most important lessons I teach players during baseball hitting drills:

“HIPS TAKE US TO THE BALL.

HANDS TAKE US THROUGH THE BALL.”

Our hands are auto reactors, providing some of our body’s quickest muscle reaction. If we hold our hands up and pop our wrists, we can do that repeatedly very quickly. If someone were to throw a punch at us, our hands would quickly and automatically pop up in defense.

As an infielder, we don’t have to think about a ball thrown to us. Our hands react to the direction of the ball and make the catch without having to think about it. Think of the catcher after he gives the sign. He is taught to frame the pitch. His hands automatically go to the pitch without any thought or direction.

Yes, the hands are auto reactors. Is this good for the hitter? “No!” When the hands move too early, this is when we hear the coach yell out, “Wait on the pitch!”  Good coaches know that a hitter who allows his hands to react automatically as his first movement towards the pitch will never have full body support.

Now, let’s apply this to our baseball hitting mechanics.

Here are the steps:

1. Coil (Load): The hitter collects his weight on the backside.

2. Stride: a linear step towards the pitched ball (30-40% of weight transfer).

3. Body Rotation: Hips rotate toward the ball.

4. Hands will then, and only then, execute the stroke.

Repeat, “hips take us to the ball, hands take us through the ball.” Don’t trust the hands . . . yet.  Discipline the hands to wait until we get into launch position—hands inside the ball and hips rotated—then turn to the pitch and initiate the stroke. 

They travel in rotation with the pivot, but they do not commit to the pitch until the rotation is complete. This rotated position with the hands still back is what we call the “drive” position. It is at this time that the hands will launch.

“Now” we can trust the hands.  Try it, and watch the ball explode onto the bat.

Coach’s Corner Extra Tip: Remember that when we hit, the hands are in a double lever system. That is, they don’t personally go to the ball. They are holding the bat, which goes to the ball. The hands always end up in front of the body. They are responsible for directing the bat to the proper cut line on the pitch.

More tips and drills can be found in our Super 8 Hitting System.

Best to you,

Coach Joe Brockhoff

The Problem:  “Rolling the wrist at contact”

Have you ever wondered what happens to the bat when the wrists roll? The bat head rolls. I’ve seen this happen hundreds of times during my 30 years in baseball coaching.  Hitters who make beautiful contact with the ball and then turn the hit into a grounder because they rolled the bat head too early.  Yet the remedy is so simple!

The Super 8 Hitting System Solution: Coach Joe’s “Under-Under Rule.”

1.                                First, take a quick inventory of your baseball hitting mechanics. On contact the top hand should be under the bat. Open up the hand on the bat when it is at the point of contact. It should be under the bat with palm up. 

2.                                Following contact, the bat head should travel to its forward extension, and the top hand should still be under the bat. Check it out. Open up the hand. It should still be under the bat with palm up. 

3.                                The only time the wrists should roll is when the bat is brought back to the opposite shoulder following the forward extension of the bat after contact. Keep the bat head in line with the stroke and don’t allow it to roll.  

4.                                When making contact, keep the barrel of the bat constant before, during, and after contact. Otherwise, the ball will escape.  

Coach’s Corner Extra Baseball Hitting Tips:  Here is another way to keep the hands in check. The knocking knuckles of the top hand always face the pitch on contact and never face down as the bat goes into extension.

Joe Brockhoff

We’ve heard it for years… Swing Level, Stay Back.

I’ve heard professional hitting instructors use these phrases.

I deeply respect and appreciate all of the baseball coaches

who have given their valuable time to coaching this great

game, at all levels, from little league through college, and

especially the little league coaches who put in hours of volunteer

service. What I’m about to say is not to disrespect well meaning

coaches and parents, but to give aid and help to them in order

to avoid the destructive hitting clichés that are passed down from

coach to coach and player to player through the years.

Hitting habits usually begin at a very young age.

For this reason, here are the “7 Deadly Misconceptions in Hitting” and baseball hitting drills

to go along with it.

Stay AWAY from these!

Misconception #1 – Swing Level. The fact is that one of the worst

mistakes a hitter can make is trying to keep his bat level as he goes

to the pitch.

#2 – Get The Back Elbow Up. If we had to throw a punch, would we

have the elbow up? If so, it would NOT be an effective punch. The elbow

needs to support the hands. It cannot do this if it is above them.

#3 – Stay Back. The proper term here is not to stay back, but to START

BACK. We collect our weight on the backside.

#4 – Squish The Bug. The back foot should not “spin” on the ball of the

foot, the back foot should roll up on the back toe as the hips rotate

toward the pitch.

#5 – Roll The Wrist. The correct way is when a hitter is in contact

with the ball, his top hand is in adduction (like a hammer) under the bat,

and it stays under the bat through extension. Does wrist-roll ever occur? Yes,

when the bat is coming out of extension and is coming around to the opposite

shoulder at the completion of the stroke, the wrist rolls at this time.

#6 – Get The Hands Away From The Body. This is incorrect! The fact

is that the hands require body support during the hitting stroke. The farther

the hands get away from the body, the weaker the stroke.

#7 – Stride In The Direction Of The Pitch. Stride in the same place every

time, directly ahead, with a 6 inch glide step. It is the ROTATION of the

hips, not the stride, that determines inside or outside.

The objective in hitting is to be quick with a compact stroke, making full

use of body action to support the stroke.

I just received this great email from Coach Miller:

“I can’t thank you enough for the Super 8 Hitting System. It provides

absolutely the best hitting instruction I have ever seen. I wish I had it

when I was a little leaguer!!! Actually, I wish I had it when I started

coaching 8 years ago. The youngsters I have coached would be

WAAY better hitters!” – Gary Miller

The Super 8 Hitting System teaches a hitter everything he needs to know about

hitting, no matter what problems the hitter has developed. These problems

can be reversed with good hitting principles.

Go here to avoid making these mistakes:

Super 8 Hitting System Reviews 

Here are some free articles and videos that I have posted that are pretty popular:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZdhzqbvMYM

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Hit-a-Baseball—Is-the-Stride-Necessary?&id=2484056

http://youthbaseballblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/great-baseball-hitting-drills-for.html

It’s real important to understand the idea that we try and teach in our hitting. It’s the physical activity which will always start with the largest muscle mass. Take the stride out of the feet, and use it in a large muscle mass and use the hips. When you are doing this, there will be less of a chance for the feet to overact.

You now have a better chance to maintain control of the stride. Thus, we strongly encourage that you stride with the front hip, and allow the feet to follow. The stride should only be about 6 inches.

I received this question the other day from a coach that is coaching a 7 year old coach pitch team. I’ve included some hitting drills for baseball to help out.

Coach Brockhoff,

Q – I am an assistant coach on a 7 year old Coach Pitch Team. This is the first year out of tee ball for these kids. We have struggled to teach our players not to “Cock Back” their shoulders and arms during their stride towards the pitch. This move straightens out their left arm and tends to cause them to drop the bat to level behind them and try to hit the ball with their hip motion and wrist release (similar to a golf swing). We have tried the tee drill from your video series, but many of the revert to the old swing once an actual pitch is in the air. Do you have any dynamic hitting drills for baseball that can help ingrain your swing? Thanks.

Brent Quinn – Las Cruces, New Mexico

A - Hi, Brent.

I fully agree with your comment. The “Cock Back” does encourage the front arm to spoke and causes looping on the backside. Our “Hitting Agenda” video fully addresses this from our Super 8 Hitting System. It is a series of drills which reinforces the techniques in a hitting series.

One of the best drills shown in the video series is the “Drive” drill. Have the players get into their drive position, in which their hips are already pivoted toward the pitch, with the back foot pivoted so that they are on their back toe. Then, have them practice hitting from this position. They are already in their pivot. Therefore, this decreases the tendency to drop the bat on their backside. Their contacts will be noticeably better.

Hope that helps,

Joe Brockhoff

I received a great question from a parent the other day that I
thought may help you… specifically if your child or player has
their sights set on playing college ball. It will give you an
‘inside look’ on how college coaches think and recruit. Enjoy.
 
Q – I am a father who has a senior in high school this year, so he
will graduate after high school baseball season. He is only 17
years old and will not turn 18 years old until the end of June this
season 2010. He has now started to grow and is showing to be a late
bloomer as far as his physique is concerned. What option’s or route
would be in his best interest in going on to play college baseball?
Should he go straight on to college and play? Should he or can he
wait a season or two and continue to work out and play 18-19 yr old
summer/fall baseball and then go on to play college ball after his
body has grown up to better meet his baseball abilities?

- Kelley Marriot
 Edmonds, Washington
 
A – Hi Kelly,

I appreciate the trust you have in our Super 8 Hitting System
products.  I know that with the proper effort that your son will
benefit greatly.
 
In response to your question, let me mention that because of the
nature of your question, it is difficult to give a specific answer.
 However, I can give you an overview that may be of help.
I was a Division I college head baseball coach for 19 years at
Tulane University.  I can tell you that college baseball is
intensely competitive at all levels.  College baseball coaches have
a tendency to look for first at a player and how he fits defensively
into the game.
 
Shortstop, Second Base, and Center Field are positions of speed
(6.7/60 or better) and quickness, usually lead-off type hitters.
They do not need to possess a lot of power as long as they possess
these qualities. 
 
The corner positions (3B, 1B, RF, and LF) are usually filled by
players who are the power players, who hit in the middle of the
lineup.  Usually the catcher doesn’t need to be tall or big, but
needs to be strong with good catching tools. His pop time (throws
to 2B) needs to be 2.0 or better. 
 
For pitchers, what we look for is their ability to command their
pitches, with velocity usually mid 80’s. With pitchers of equal
ability, the left hander would have the advantage over the right
hander. This goes for hitters as well. Left handed hitters would
have the advantage.
 
When I was recruiting a player, when attending games, he needed to
“kick me in the head”, stand out from the rest.
 
I hope that this gives you a picture about what to expect as he
competes in his high school years, with interest in playing college
baseball.
 
It appears from your letter, that your young man may not be quite
ready based on his physical maturity.
 
Division I College baseball programs due to recent NCAA restraints
have been strapped. Teams now are only allowed a 30-man roster,
including walk-ons, with only 11.7 total scholarships (tops)
awarded. There are also tougher transfer rules between colleges.
Do not overlook junior colleges. Many play very good baseball and
transfers to a 4-year college can be made after the first year.
Also, in the smaller colleges, the roster guidelines are usually
not as stringent as Division I.
 
Now, concerning his interest in sitting out… once a player
registers at a university, he has 5 years to play 4, unless he
becomes injured and takes a redshirt year. So if he decided not to
play the first year out of high school, he would still have 4 years
of eligibility.
 
I don’t know what position he plays, but make sure that it fits his
body. It’s not uncommon for a high school player who is playing out
of position to be over looked. So, his position and how he plays it
is important. 
 
Has he had any interest at this time from any colleges, even as a
walk-on?

If he hasn’t received any interest, then it is important to put him
into situations where he will be noticed. He needs to play his
position well this year and have a good solid year, then play in
summer leagues and showcases that will give him exposure. Some
showcases are just money-makers for the promoters, but some are
good and well worth the effort to help him gain exposure.
 
Have him get with his high school coach and let him know of his
goals. Ask him to write letters on his behalf to schools that
interest him. His summer coach can do the same.
 
Work hard on his fundamentals and continue to work on his stroke.
Make sure he keeps up with his conditioning and hits the weight
room on a regular basis. He will be amazed on how this will help
his body reach its maturity. Do not overlook the hands.
 
Should his strategy be to sit out the first year, he must get in as
much baseball and exposure that is possible.
 
He needs to raise his confidence level. He must have a belief
system that makes him feel he can perform at a higher level.
 
One final word… have him work and learn our Super 8 Hitting
System well.  Some of my players worked hard just to make their
high school teams. And now they are playing in college.  But they
never quit, they had a goal and worked hard to achieve their very
best. 
 
Keep in mind, that without my knowing your son personally, I can
only make suggestions.

Get the same system he uses: http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com  
 
Good luck.  Hope this helps.
       
Coach Brockhoff
www.learnbaseballhitting.com/super8
www.hittingthebaseball.com
Super 8 Hitting System

We get the question all the time about what baseball hitting drills are included in the Super 8 Hitting System. Here is an overview on techniques used on hitting the baseball to help you overcome any challenges you may have. After you watch the video go to the Super 8 Hitting System.

Enjoy!

I get this question all the time, “What is included in the Super 8 Hitting System?” I put together a short video for you covering the complete Super 8 Hitting System DVD set. These DVD’s cover the most effective baseball hitting techniques that will add more power to your hitting stroke.

Top Five Baseball Hitting Tips from Hall of Fame Coach Joe Brockoff

What makes a great baseball hitter?  Power, speed, stance, coil, stride, drive, and more.  Here Coach Joe Brockoff, retired Tulane University baseball head coach and Hall of Fame inductee, shares some of the same batting tips he’s used to send 45 players to the pros using his Super 8 System.

1.   Set goals and objectives.  To succeed, all good hitters must achieve three basic but important goals.  These include:

a.       Club head accuracy—to gain maximum contact with the baseball.  This means hitting the ball with the percussion area of the bat squarely on the nose of the baseball, such as a sword would cut into an apple producing two equal parts.

b.      Club head timing—to gain super contract by meeting the ball at the proper time in the contact zone.  This involves good body control with rhythm and proper estimation of when the various types of pitches will arrive in the contact zone.

c.       Club head velocity—Many times hitters are told to just ‘meet the ball.’  This mindset will make him or her slow down his stroke in an effort to hit the ball in the contact area.  Club head velocity will vary for different types of pitches but should always drive the ball.

2. Eliminate unnecessary action. Most hitters complicate the baseball hitting process, which adversely affects their ability to make contact with power and speed. Yet the process is simple: activity performed consistently and repeatedly, with only necessary steps will dramatically improve hitting proficiency.  Coach Brock off’s simple, easily related, and precise system of eight hitting steps, or actions, tracks your hitting from the beginning of the process to the conclusion, eliminating unnecessary techniques, such as showmanship and bravado—styles that are more of a hindrance than a help.

3.   Hit through the ball, not to the ball. The good hitter maximizes his or hitting ability by driving the ball, not by slapping at it.  This involves hitting with a controlled explosion, using full body action and generating maximum club head velocity with a good follow through.  This will ensure the bat hitting the ball, not the ball hitting the bat.

4. Commit to being a hitting machine. The body is a hitting machine, one where all parts work together to ensure maximum output or, in this case, power and contact. Identifying and solidifying the proper position and action for each of the seven body parts in the hitting process will significantly improve your batting average.

a.   Shoulders are the platform, providing support for the hands, and the launching pad for going directly to the ball.

b.   The head serves as the control tower.  It must remain in control of every pitch.  The head ‘hits’ every pitch.  It controls the action of the rest of the body. 

c.   Arms serve as our springs as the body turns toward the pitch. They must remain in place on the platform until they actually spring out to hit the baseball.

d.   Legs provide support and stability.  They support the hips and the upper body, standing tall outside of a small crack in the knees.

e.   Feet are the foundation of a good hitting stance—the base of all operations.  Our feet push against the ground to gain the force necessary to hit the ball. 

f.    Hips are the drivers—the engine that runs and controls the body by creating a rotary action which turns the shoulders and takes the body as whole to the ball.

g.   Lastly, the dynamite action of the hands.  The body turns the hands into the direction of the ball and they explode! 

5.   Know your assignment.

The head should be vertical, eyes on a horizontal plane, independent of body action. It must not tilt. Keep your chin over the front shoulder.

Backside is the power side, responsible for delivering power to the ball. The backside’s first action is directed toward the ball, with the top hand delivering the knockout punch.

Front side (the side closest to the pitched ball), takes us directly to the ball. It includes the bottom hand on the bat. The front side does not power the ball.  Its responsibility is to take us directly to the ball, in a smooth gliding action, maintaining alignment.

Center mass is where the head lives.  If we place an imaginary line between both legs, the belly button and the head should be in alignment with it throughout the stroke.  The upper body should not tilt forward or backward but should remain stacked.

Want to learn more about how to improve your baseball swing? Coach Brockoff outlines his eight steps in the Super 8 System—a series of videos, guides, and even a bestselling book—that has sent 45 players to the major leagues.  Many of coach’s instructional videos—seen and used by thousands of baseball players, parents and coaches—are being offered at free to the public.  Visit the Super 8 System today at http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com