Close up front toss

Then you will need this video to answer possible questions of why this 'set up':

I'd say I hardly ever throw front toss from more than 15-20 feet. The timing trick is to show the ball and have a consistent motion delivering the ball. I tell my hitters I will show the ball, take it away and then come forward with the toss. In that way, they are to time my motion the same as they do a pitcher's motion.

rdbass said:

Bold above....that's where the 'timing' problem comes into play...pre-load isn't part of the proper sequence.

Get to a pitching distance that your players don't have to pre-load. Getting to a Pre-loaded position isn't teaching them how to face 'speed'. Unless your hitters are going to bat in a pre-loaded position. Hitters need to be able to 'figure out' how to create 'time' in THEIR sequence. Ideally that's against the closes-es a coach can simulate game speed. I think older good hitters distance isn't as big a factor as it is for younger hitters. I also understand a coach has to work with what they can. So, it's just my opinion.

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I agree. Not a big fan of all "reaction hitting" or "quickness" drills (like mauer quick swing, drop feed, toss from behind...).

You Need to be quick from Launch to contact but how Long you take to get ready for Launch (as Long as it is on time) is individual. reaction quickness drills promote a top down swing and disrupted load and sequence.

Launch Position is a Transition state and not a static Position. you Need to move through a good Launch "Position" on time. you couldn't load like Donaldson or bautista on time against a mauer quick swing or toss from 10 feet unless you time the pitcher and not the ball.

I front toss from about 20 feet away. It gives me a better chance to hit locations. The hitter has to learn when to start (which is sometime during my arm swing) so that their front foot is off the ground by release. No different than from regular distance - timing is the same.



Bobby's video above that RD posted speaks a HUGE issue for fastpitch hitters in that they rotate around the front hip and spin instead of learning how to rotate around the back hip. The pelvis needs to open upon landing the front foot and this can only happen if you learn to turn the pelvis over the rear hip joint.

I will start hitters on the back leg balanced over their rear hip to start to understand the timing (basically get to the position Melero is in above in the right frame) and learn how to use the front leg to help turn pelvis over the rear hip. Hands learn to go back as this happens.

Cannonball said:

I'd say I hardly ever throw front toss from more than 15-20 feet. The timing trick is to show the ball and have a consistent motion delivering the ball. I tell my hitters I will show the ball, take it away and then come forward with the toss. In that way, they are to time my motion the same as they do a pitcher's motion.

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This is how I do it also.

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Buttermaker said:

I front toss from about 20 feet away. It gives me a better chance to hit locations. The hitter has to learn when to start (which is sometime during my arm swing) so that their front foot is off the ground by release. No different than from regular distance - timing is the same.

Bobby's video above that RD posted speaks a HUGE issue for fastpitch hitters in that they rotate around the front hip and spin instead of learning how to rotate around the back hip. The pelvis needs to open upon landing the front foot and this can only happen if you learn to turn the pelvis over the rear hip joint.

I will start hitters on the back leg balanced over their rear hip to start to understand the timing (basically get to the position Melero is in above in the right frame) and learn how to use the front leg to help turn pelvis over the rear hip. Hands learn to go back as this happens.

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I still think she has one of the prettiest swings I have ever seen in softball

This guy is utterly brutal to try and listen to. Point is delayed....i cant hear him and i just cant follow him. Brutal

Hank said:

This guy is utterly brutal to try and listen to. Point is delayed....i cant hear him and i just cant follow him. Brutal

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Unlike a lot of us on these boards, he actually works with mlb hitters - so grab a monster energy drink and try to power thru it - more likely than not you will find useful nuggets for your hitting journey

The important part (for me) in that Tewks segment is right after the 4:00 mark where he talks about the front foot turning open as a result of pivoting in the rear hip socket. There's a feel there that I think is important to understand.

I usually go from around 20 feet to simulate speed. One time I didn't get arm back fast enough and a big hitter hit me with a line drive right between bicep and forearm. It left a nasty bruise for a couple of weeks. Another time I was doing bunting with no screen and a girl evidently didn't notice the other 10 hitters bunt every pitch and swung at it. It felt like a slow motion scene in a movie as I dove to get down and caught it on the shoulder. Fortunately it wasn't one of our bigger hitters but it was the first time I ever wanted to throw a kid out of practice.