Check Yourself

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Bratt's Bat

Hitting for Excellence DVD Series

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Use checkpoints to stop at given points of the swing to observe & correct yourself.

NOTE: Learn to check yourself from the feet up.every time.
This will keep you from missing certain parts of the swing and more easily allow you to remember all details.

Rest Position - How does it look, how does it feel? Are you comfortable? Is your weight about 40% front foot and 60% back foot? Are you on the balls of your feet with your weight bearing on the inside of your slightly flexed knees and again, the balls of your feet?

Hands about 4-6" from your body? Tall backside? Head equal distance between both feet? Eyes level, so both eyes see the ball?

Load Position - Take a negative move (this is when you "load" with your hands moving toward your back shoulder) with hands held high (at the top of the strike zone).

Can you feel the slight pull of muscles from your torso and upper body.like the winding of a spring?

Keep your stride shorter rather than longer! Hands go toward the back of your body while front foot strides toward pitcher (some coaches will call this 'walking away from your hands').
NOTE: Your weight should now be 80% on the back foot and only 20% on the front foot with knees slightly flexed.

Contact position - Are you up on the toes of your back foot?
Is your front foot slightly open at a 45% angle with FRONT KNEE BRACED AND LOCKED?
Are your hands in a palm up and palm down position? Head still and between both legs like a stick man drawing?

Are your eyes focused at the point of contact?

Finish - Are you hitting off a firm front side with your front knee locked?
Are you still balanced with head between both legs and not lunging forward?
Is the bat completely wrapped around your back?

Is your head still?

Tip! - The quickest way to a great swing is your own pitching machine. Look for affordable ways to get this done!

Coach JP's Note
This is a generic list of checkpoints and should help most players. It is not designed to change any advanced players who now have a set schedule and their own way of doing things. This should supply you with solid information that will keep you in a good, strong hitting position throughout the entire swing.

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