I agree with Straightleg. BUT - doing a drill is typically a LOT slower than a game swing. One thing to not get "hung up" on when doing this drill is the back foot, which will do more of a pivot up onto the toe. Remember - you are working on the hip turn and firm front side. The back foot is more or less a "no-teach", and if the weight shift and rotation are correct, it will take care of itself. Just make sure she isn't "spinning" - rotating on the front heel and back toe.
Make sure she is balanced to begin with - Feet spaced as Straightleg said, about 1.5 times the shoulder width, a good athletic stance, knees slightly bent, slightly tilted forward at the waist (toward the plate). I like to describe this as the way you would look when playing defense in basketball, or getting ready to jump. If she is balanced, you should be able to lightly push her with your hand from any side, and she won't tip too far. IMO, a slightly wider stance is better than a narrow one.
Have your daughter get into this basic athletic stance. Then have her cradle her bat in her elbows behind her back as Straightleg said. With her toes on both feet pointing straight forward, have her quickly turn her hips to face her belly button towards the pitcher. If she tries to keep the front foot planted, it will roll up onto the outside edge (little toe side) - and I guarantee her leg will straighten. Doing this as a drill will give her the feel of the balance. Then gradually have her add the load and stride. Stop occasionally at toe touch to check her balance. Some hitters will even try to stride "pigeon toed" for a while to prevent opening the front side. After they get the feel, they gradually fall into roughly a 45 degree angle with the front foot at toe touch. Remember - it's OK for the foot to open slightly as long as the hips don't start rotating before a heel plant.
Look at the clip of Benji as she loads. Watch the slight inward turn of the front foot. Then as she strides, notice how she is STILL balanced JUST before she actually swings. As she turns her hips, watch the front foot and leg. Have your daughter emulate this type of load and stride.
The key to this is being balanced at toe touch, just as the front heel plants and the hips start turning. If she's leaning too far forward, the front leg will probably stay bent. Too far back, and she won't get a good weight transfer into rotation, robbing her of power. Again, watch Caitlin Benji's swing. She has excellent timing, keeps the hips closed, then really explodes into the ball.
Make sure she is balanced to begin with - Feet spaced as Straightleg said, about 1.5 times the shoulder width, a good athletic stance, knees slightly bent, slightly tilted forward at the waist (toward the plate). I like to describe this as the way you would look when playing defense in basketball, or getting ready to jump. If she is balanced, you should be able to lightly push her with your hand from any side, and she won't tip too far. IMO, a slightly wider stance is better than a narrow one.
Have your daughter get into this basic athletic stance. Then have her cradle her bat in her elbows behind her back as Straightleg said. With her toes on both feet pointing straight forward, have her quickly turn her hips to face her belly button towards the pitcher. If she tries to keep the front foot planted, it will roll up onto the outside edge (little toe side) - and I guarantee her leg will straighten. Doing this as a drill will give her the feel of the balance. Then gradually have her add the load and stride. Stop occasionally at toe touch to check her balance. Some hitters will even try to stride "pigeon toed" for a while to prevent opening the front side. After they get the feel, they gradually fall into roughly a 45 degree angle with the front foot at toe touch. Remember - it's OK for the foot to open slightly as long as the hips don't start rotating before a heel plant.
Look at the clip of Benji as she loads. Watch the slight inward turn of the front foot. Then as she strides, notice how she is STILL balanced JUST before she actually swings. As she turns her hips, watch the front foot and leg. Have your daughter emulate this type of load and stride.
The key to this is being balanced at toe touch, just as the front heel plants and the hips start turning. If she's leaning too far forward, the front leg will probably stay bent. Too far back, and she won't get a good weight transfer into rotation, robbing her of power. Again, watch Caitlin Benji's swing. She has excellent timing, keeps the hips closed, then really explodes into the ball.
