Softball drill

One-arm hitting drill

Name: Sierra Romero's Top 5 Hitting Drills for Developing Power
Channel: Summers Method
Description: The hitter swings a short bat with one hand at front toss, first with the front arm and then with the back arm, and finishes with two-handed swings. Each arm learns its own job, which builds bat control and a short path to the ball.

The hitter swings a short bat with one hand at front toss, first with the front arm and then with the back arm, and finishes with two-handed swings. Each arm learns its own job, which builds bat control and a short path to the ball.

Video by Summers Method on YouTube. The write-up below is ours.

At a glance

Sport: Baseball and Softball
Skill: Hitting
Ages: 10U to High school
Players: 2 (a hitter and a tosser)
Time: About 10 minutes
Level: Intermediate
Equipment: A short one-hand training bat (or a light bat, choked up), An L-screen, A bucket of balls, Helmet, A batting cage or net
Indoors: Yes

In a two-handed swing, the stronger arm often takes over and drags the bat across the zone. Swinging with one hand at a time shows each arm its job: the front arm leads the knob to the ball and the back arm drives the barrel through it.

In the video the hitter swings a short bat with one hand at front toss. A short or light bat matters, because a full-size bat is too heavy to control with one hand and strains the wrist. It is a common warm-up in a cage routine before regular rounds.

Setup

Set an L-screen about 12 to 15 feet in front of the plate.
Give the hitter a short training bat, or a light bat choked up well up the handle.
The hitter takes their normal stance holding the bat with the front hand only. The free hand can rest on the chest.

How to run it

The tosser feeds a firm underhand strike to the middle or outer half of the plate.
The hitter strides and leads the knob toward the ball, driving it on a line to the middle or opposite field.
After 5 to 8 swings with the front hand, switch to the back hand for another 5 to 8.
With the back hand, the palm faces up through contact as the barrel goes through the ball.
Finish with a few two-handed swings with the regular bat to bring the feel together.

Coaching points

Front arm: the knob goes toward the inside of the ball before the barrel comes around.
Back arm: palm up through contact, not rolled over early.
Use a short or light bat. Control matters more than bat speed here.
Stay balanced on a firm front side; the legs still do their part.
Aim up the middle and the other way rather than pulling every ball.

Common mistakes

Using a full-size, heavy bat with one hand, which strains the wrist and drops the barrel.
Lunging forward to reach the ball.
Rolling the wrist over right at contact with the back hand.
Trying to pull every pitch.

Printable drill card

Take this drill to the field: the setup, steps, coaching points and equipment on one card, with the video's address to find it again. Free, no account needed.

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Smaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).

By age

10U and 12U

Use the lightest short bat you have, or choke up almost to the top of the grip, and start off a tee before front toss.

14U and up

Move the tosses around the zone and keep the rounds short and sharp: five good swings per arm.

Next: Free lineup card generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which arm should players practice first?

Most coaches start with the front arm, to feel the knob lead to the ball, then switch to the back arm, then finish with both hands.

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