Throwing the Bat

Weekly

Reps

Great way to help the athlete that throws the bat.  All you need is a clean trash can 15-30 feet up the baseline.  Check out the video and ensure that the athletes get plenty of reps leaving the batter's box.

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Common Coaching Challenge - Athlete is throwing the bat after a swing.

Young hitters sometimes throw the bat.  It's a subconscious follow through action, and one that can be a serious safety risk. To most simply explain this tip, consider that we must "make the unconscious... conscious."

SOLUTION - Trash Can Bat Toss
This tip involves forcing an athlete to stay mentally focused on the swing, even AFTER contact.  After each round of swings, each at-bat, or any time this athlete is swinging a bat and then running, instruct him or her to deposit the bat into the trash can!!  :)  Place a clean trash can 20 feet up the first base line, and the athlete's assignment is to hold on to the bat until running past the trash can.  With respect for bat and trash can, the athlete can slam, drop, or place the bat into the can.  Really, by the time the athlete reaches the trash can, this coach's tip is a success.

We are trying to train the 1.5 seconds immediately after completing the swing.  And if we can train the athlete to follow through, and begin running while still holding on to the bat... this is a successful training session and it's only a matter of positive repetitions until the issue is resolved.

Lesson - 5 minutes
Training - ANY relevant batting session or game where running bases is involved.
Equipment - One clean trash can