Steps of Swinging a Bat

Sports help to build confidence in children and adults. Coaches, teachers and parents can help children learn the proper techniques of baseball to boost their self-confidence. After learning the correct way to swing a bat, a home run celebration is not far away.

Things You'll Need

  • Baseball bat
  • Baseball
  • Home plate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Grip the bat. Place the bat where the fingers meet the palms of your hands. Hold the bat with the fingers, not the palms. Line up the knuckles on both hands on the bat. Hands should be together on the bat with no gaps. A rule to follow is that you should not be able to see any part of the bat between your fingers when holding it correctly. Do not grip the bat too tight with the top hand. This is a "standard grip," which allows more rotation from the wrists. The Swing the Bat! website states that more wrist rotation equals more bat speed and more quickness.

    • 2

      Position the body at the plate. GuidetoCoachingSports.com suggests using the parallel rules for proper body form at the plate. First, toes should be at a parallel line to the plate. This means shoulders also are parallel to the plate. Keep elbows parallel to each other for a more level swing. The chin should be parallel to the shoulders. Lastly, arms should be parallel to the ground as they are extended.

    • 3

      Load the swing. Rotate the front side of the body to a closed position, away from the pitcher. Lift the heel of the front foot a little so only the big toe is touching the ground. Your weight should be on the back foot before you carry through the swing. Do not move the head. It should remain in the direction of the pitcher.

    • 4

      Launch the swing. As the pitcher throws the ball, remain in a forward line toward him. Do not turn the toes, and keep your knees, hips and shoulders closed. Take a small step forward, about six to ten inches. Now your weight should be evenly distributed on each foot. However, the bat should remain over your back foot.

    • 5

      Swing to make contact with the ball. Drive the back knee toward the front knee. Rotate the shoulders open. Swing the barrel of the bat in the direction of the oncoming ball. This is a quick snap, allowing the arms to fully extend. When the bat makes contact with the ball, the back thigh should be vertically aligned with the upper body. The back foot rotates toward the pitcher.

    • 6

      Follow through with the swing. Continue the swing even after you have launched the ball. Swing until both arms are fully extended. After you swing, your arms should be pointed at the pitcher.