Short Game Lesson 4 - Alignment

Alignment is critical in the short game. Most coaches agree that the shoulders and hands should maintain a good hitting position during a slap. The main thing that a lot of coaches seem to be missing is when the hips open up on the bunt or the slap. A lot of coaches seem to think that the hips open up on the cross over step, which you'll see in the video isn't accurate. Since cross over is the position we run from, we still have to keep the hips closed a little bit to make sure that we can react to all pitches. The tension created in the body by keeping the hips and shoulders somewhat closed while we are beginning to run, will create more force when released, which gives a hitter better foot speed out of the box. In tomorrow's lesson of "Bat Lag" you will see how our short-game player's aim their hips when their bat is parallel to the ground which allows them to aim the ball. The key, however, is that a hitter shouldn't aim the hips until they know speed, spin and location. The cross over step takes place before we have to decide to swing or not, so the hips have to remain closed slightly. Enjoy.

Mark Mulvany

Coach@Fastpitchtrainer.com