ASA Softball: ACE Coaching Manual - Hitting Part 1 (Stance)

If you are coaching t-ball, hitting won’t be quite as difficult as it will be if your team is hitting off “live” pitching. With live pitching, hand-eye coordination and timing come in to play, as does the fear of being hit by a pitched ball.  If your players are afraid of getting hit by the ball, use safety balls or tennis balls in your practices to remove fear of the ball.

About Bats

Even though it is extremely important that your players have a solid, fundamentally sound swing, it is just as important that they use the proper size and weight bat. Therefore, it is important to go over some bat basics.

There are two types of bats: a Barrel Bat and a Bottle Bat. A Barrel Bat is the shape of a traditional baseball bat, while a Bottle Bat is the more traditional softball bat. While both types are used by elite level softball players, your players will probably have more success with a bottle bat because it has an enlarged hitting area.

I.  Grip & Stance

A.    Grip

Softball player gripping the bat properly.
Figure 1
  1. Hold the bat as you would grip an axe handle. (Figure 1)
  2. Line up door-knocking knuckles or “split.”  Adjust slightly for whatever is comfortable for the player.
  3. Hands and wrist are relaxed in the stance; the grip on the bat will tighten slightly as the swing starts.

**Coaching Tip**
Verbal/physical cues for a proper grip:

  • Like you would grip an axe handle, and use the same grip on your bat. (Figure 1)
  • Pretend you are pounding a stake into the ground from over head.
  • Pretend you are pounding a nail with a hammer.
  • Hold a bat horizontally out in from of you and pretend you are “shaking hands” with the bat.

B.  Stance:

  1. Purely cosmetic (most variety in hitting will be found in the stance)
  2. Stance must be comfortable, relaxed and allow the hitter to move into a stong attacking position.
  3. Must have the ability to create rhythm in the stance (unlocking of body parts)
  4. Should allow the hitter to get a good two eye look at the pitcher
  5. Should allow the hitter to achieve proper plate coverage upon reaching toe touch (Stride)
  6. The only mistake you can make in the stance is getting to wide!!
  7. Some hitters prefer their hands high-some a little lower.  The hand position in the stance is up to the individual.

**Coaching Tip**
The hand position in the stance must allow the hitter to move to a strong hitting position when the front foot reaches toe touch (stide).  The ability to reach this position on time and with minimal movement is essential

C.  Lower Body Position:


 Softball player in proper hitting stance.
Figure 2

  • Feet in good athletic position (like guarding someone in basketball).
  • Feet are slightly outside the hips, wider than shoulder width apart.
  • Weight is on inside balls of feet. 
  • Knees are inside of the feet. (Figure 2)
  • Flexion in ankles and knees.
  • Slight bend at the waist (“head over toes” or “slight” bow toward the plate).
  • To make sure you are in a position to achieve full plate coverage, reach out and tap the outside corner of the plate with only the bottom hand on the bat.
  • Stand even with the center of home plate or with your belly-button lined up with the front edge of the plate. (Figure 2)
  • Weight stays centered (balanced) in the stance (evenly distributed on front side and back side - 50/50).