Softball drill

Walk-in hitting drill

Name: Effective Hitting Techniques & Drills for Youth Baseball Coaches
Channel: Dominate The Diamond
Description: The hitter starts at the back of the box and steps into the swing with front toss, so the stride and swing come out of a moving start. It loosens up stiff, frozen hitters and teaches them to carry rhythm into a firm front side.

The hitter starts at the back of the box and steps into the swing with front toss, so the stride and swing come out of a moving start. It loosens up stiff, frozen hitters and teaches them to carry rhythm into a firm front side.

Video by Dominate The Diamond 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: An L-screen, A bucket of balls, Bat and helmet, A batting cage or net
Indoors: Yes

Some young hitters walk into the box and freeze. They stand stiff, wait, and then swing with only their arms. The walk-in drill gets the feet moving before the pitch, the way a hitter moves in any other athletic skill, and lets that rhythm carry into the swing.

The hitter starts at the back corner of the box, steps in as the tosser starts, lands in their stance and swings without stopping. The aim is not to run at the ball but to arrive in a firm, balanced position with some life in the body. It runs in a cage with front toss.

Setup

Set an L-screen about 15 to 20 feet in front of the plate for front toss.
The hitter starts at the back corner of the box, a step behind their normal stance.
The tosser sits or kneels behind the screen with a bucket of balls.

How to run it

As the tosser starts their motion, the hitter takes a step forward into the box.
They land in their normal stance with the hands loaded, without stopping.
Out of that rhythm, they stride and swing at the toss.
They drive the ball up the middle and hold a balanced finish.
Walk back to the start and repeat, 6 to 10 swings a round.

Coaching points

Time the step to the tosser's arm, so the hitter lands ready as the ball is released.
Keep the upper body relaxed while the feet move; the hands should not rush forward.
Land in a wide, athletic base, not with the feet crossed or too close together.
The front side gets firm at the end. The movement goes into a strong front leg, not past it.
Finish in balance with the head still. If the hitter stumbles, slow the walk down.

Common mistakes

Swinging before the front foot is down.
Lunging the upper body past the front knee because of the forward movement.
Stopping completely after the step, which turns it back into a normal standing swing.
Taking a big run-up instead of one controlled step.

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.

Print the drill card

Smaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).

By age

10U

Toss softly with some arc so there is plenty of time to coordinate the step, and start with dry walk-in swings.

12U and 14U

Toss at normal front toss speed and ask for line drives to the middle of the cage.

High school

Alternate walk-in swings with normal swings and ask the hitter to keep the same looseness in both.

Next: Free lineup card generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the walk-in drill make my hitter lunge in games?

Not if the movement ends on a firm front leg with the head still. If a hitter starts lunging, shorten the step and slow the toss down.

More drills

Start free. Upgrade when your season needs it.

The free plan includes one team and one of each document type, with no license fee and no credit card. Paid plans start at $2.50 a month billed annually, cancel anytime.

See Pricing

No credit card required. Free plan available.