Top Hitting Drills to Elevate Your Baseball Game
Mastering the art of hitting in baseball takes more than natural talent; it requires dedication, focus, and the right drills to refine your skills. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or an advanced player aiming to fine-tune your swing, these top hitting drills will help you achieve your goals and become a consistent threat at the plate.
The tee isn’t just for beginners; even MLB players use it regularly to perfect their mechanics. This drill isolates your swing and ensures you’re hitting the ball squarely.
Set the ball on the tee at the height of your strike zone.
Focus on keeping your head still and your eyes on the ball.
Practice hitting the ball to all fields: pull side, center, and opposite field.
Builds muscle memory.
Improves hand-eye coordination.
Reinforces proper swing mechanics.
Soft toss is excellent for honing your hand-eye coordination and developing a smooth, consistent swing path.
A partner softly tosses the ball underhand from the side.
Keep your focus on driving the ball where it’s pitched.
Mix up the toss location to simulate different pitch types.
Enhances timing and bat control.
Encourages hitting the ball where it’s pitched.
Works well as a warm-up before live pitching.
Front toss brings you closer to a game situation, providing a controlled environment to practice hitting live balls.
A partner tosses the ball underhand from behind a screen positioned about 10-15 feet in front of you.
Focus on hitting line drives back through the middle.
Vary the speed and location of the tosses.
Develops quick hands and decision-making.
Simulates real at-bats without the pressure of live pitching.
Encourages proper follow-through and balance.
This drill helps ensure your bat stays on the correct plane throughout your swing, preventing pop-ups or ground balls.
Set up two tees: one with a ball at the front and one slightly lower and farther back.
Swing to hit the front ball while avoiding the back tee.
Adjust tee heights to simulate different pitch locations.
Reinforces a level swing.
Improves barrel control.
Helps eliminate chopping or uppercut swings.
Using one hand at a time allows you to focus on the individual roles of your top and bottom hand during your swing.
Grip the bat with just your top hand for one set, then switch to your bottom hand.
Use a lighter bat or a training bat for better control.
Focus on keeping the bat path straight and controlled.
Strengthens wrist and forearm muscles.
Improves bat control and barrel awareness.
Highlights any weaknesses in your swing.
Pitchers won’t always throw strikes in the same spot, so this drill helps you adjust to high and low pitches.
Set up two tees at different heights.
Alternate swings between the higher and lower balls.
Focus on keeping the same mechanics while adjusting your body position.
Builds adaptability to different pitch heights.
Reinforces proper body positioning.
Develops a consistent swing regardless of pitch location.
This drill bridges the gap between front toss and live pitching, providing a more realistic trajectory.
Have a partner throw overhand from a short distance.
Concentrate on tracking the ball from release to contact.
Work on hitting to all fields based on pitch location.
Sharpens timing and pitch recognition.
Prepares you for game-like speed.
Builds confidence against faster pitches.
This drill emphasizes driving the ball with power while maintaining good mechanics.
Place the tee slightly farther back than usual.
Focus on extending through the ball to drive it with force.
Use your hips and lower body to generate power.
Improves power and exit velocity.
Develops proper extension through the swing.
Encourages the use of the entire body in the swing.
If your struggling to hit for more power check out my online store for the hitting guide to increase exit velocity.