I.      Grip

        A.     Line up knuckles that you knock on a door with

        B.     Wrist over wrist

        C.     In the fingers, out of the palm (don’t choke the bat)

II.     Stance

        A.     Balanced, Comfortable, & Confident

        B.     Feet at least shoulder with apart

        C.     Hands at top of strike zone

        D.     Elbows level (like resting them on a table)

        E.     Back Shoulder slightly above front shoulder

        F.     Bat laid back 45 degrees

        G.     Both eyes on the pitcher

III.    Load

        A.    Weight shifts back about 70 percent (70%)

        B.    Load with front shoulder (not arms and hands)

                  1.    Front shoulder should come back to chin

                  2.    Hands should hide from pitcher (behind your head)

        C.    Front knee and hip move in toward the center

        D.    Avoid wrapping bat behind head

IV.   Stride

        A.    Happens before the swing (not with the swing!!!)

        B.    Short stride (0 to 6 inches)

        C.    Head remains on the same plane

        D.   Weight shifts from back to middle (not to the front)

        E.    Lead with your heel

        F.    Make sure front foot is down early

V.   Slot Position

        A.    Back knee and shoe laces toward the ball

        B.    Hands drive downward toward the plate

                  1.   Flashlight toward plate!!!

        C.    Drive the triangle into the ground

        D.    Back heel begins to come off the ground

VI.   Approach / Swing

        A.    Lead with front elbow

        B.    Drive the top hand

        C.    Land the airplane!!!

        D.    Level out (12 – 18 inches through the zone)

        E.    Back elbow stays tucked in close to body

        F.   Palm up / Palm down

        G.   Stiff front leg

        H.    Back foot pivots toward the pitcher and knee turns in.

        I.    Open your hips

                  1.    Pitch location will determine how much the hips open

                            a)     Inside pitch – hips will completely open to help hands stay  

                                    inside the ball

                            b)    Outside pitch – hips will stay more closed to help drive the ball the

                                   opposite direction

        J.    Head down / Eyes on the Ball

                  1.   Chin should end on back shoulder

        K.   Extend through the baseball (Not before it gets to you)

                  1.   Increase the angle of the lead arm

VII.  Follow Through

        A.      Finish high and finish long

        B.     Weight should be balanced (like riding on a surf board)

        C.     Back heel should be pointed to the sky

        D.     Release the back hand to help keep head down on ball longer

        E.     Flashlight finishes toward the pitcher

        F.    Chin finishes on back shoulder