HITTING FUNDAMENTALS, FUNDAMENTAL HITTING, SWING MECHANICS: What Do They Mean?
By Charles "Popcorn" Thompson
Albert Pujols hitting an outside pitch to right field.
Hitting Fundamentals
Hitting fundamentals and fundamental hitting are not the same. Skills such as bunting, timing, rhythm, count hitting, pitch recognition, the mental approach, etc. are what I define as hitting fundamentals. Fundamentals are the "basics" of hitting. And when a player is able to perform the fundamentals of hitting, I consider him a complete hitter. And when a team can execute the fundamentals of hitting, they can score a lot of runs in a game. Coaches should teach and/or train the hitting fundamentals in every team practice session. For example, every player should have a chance to practice bunting skills during batting practice. Bunting is one of the most important fundamentals of hitting. It is a fundamental that is used in almost every baseball game and should be a part of every batting practice.
Fundamental Hitting
I define fundamental hitting simply as hitting the ball where it is pitched. I strongly emphasize to each of my students the importance of hitting the ball where it is pitched. Once the hitter understands the importance of hitting the ball where it is pitched, then proper swing mechanics can be taught for successful execution. If a hitter doesn't understand that an outside pitch should be hit to the opposite field, then he/she is also not aware of the proper swing mechanics for opposite field hitting. A hitter must first understand where to hit each pitch location in the strike zone and then learn the proper swing mechanics for successful execution.
Swing Mechanics
The mechanics of the swing and the fundamentals of hitting are not the same. I have heard so many coaches confuse swing mechanics with hitting fundamentals. Although swing mechanics are a PART OF the fundamentals of hitting, they are not THE fundamentals of hitting. Swing mechanics are basic movements that are executed during the swing. Swing mechanics can differ from hitter to hitter, but the fundamentals of hitting are basically the same for every hitter. Some hitting coaches teach hitters to swing down on the ball, that is a hitting mechanic. An upper-cut swing is another mechanic that is sometimes taught. Some hitters are taught to "stay back" during the swing while others are taught to get to the front side. Swing mechanics can differ from hitter to hitter, depending on the hitting coach, but the fundamentals of hitting apply to all hitters.
I hope this information helps you to better understand the difference between The Fundamentals Of Hitting, Fundamental Hitting and Swing Mechanics.
Hitting fundamentals and fundamental hitting are not the same. Skills such as bunting, timing, rhythm, count hitting, pitch recognition, the mental approach, etc. are what I define as hitting fundamentals. Fundamentals are the "basics" of hitting. And when a player is able to perform the fundamentals of hitting, I consider him a complete hitter. And when a team can execute the fundamentals of hitting, they can score a lot of runs in a game. Coaches should teach and/or train the hitting fundamentals in every team practice session. For example, every player should have a chance to practice bunting skills during batting practice. Bunting is one of the most important fundamentals of hitting. It is a fundamental that is used in almost every baseball game and should be a part of every batting practice.
Fundamental Hitting
I define fundamental hitting simply as hitting the ball where it is pitched. I strongly emphasize to each of my students the importance of hitting the ball where it is pitched. Once the hitter understands the importance of hitting the ball where it is pitched, then proper swing mechanics can be taught for successful execution. If a hitter doesn't understand that an outside pitch should be hit to the opposite field, then he/she is also not aware of the proper swing mechanics for opposite field hitting. A hitter must first understand where to hit each pitch location in the strike zone and then learn the proper swing mechanics for successful execution.
Swing Mechanics
The mechanics of the swing and the fundamentals of hitting are not the same. I have heard so many coaches confuse swing mechanics with hitting fundamentals. Although swing mechanics are a PART OF the fundamentals of hitting, they are not THE fundamentals of hitting. Swing mechanics are basic movements that are executed during the swing. Swing mechanics can differ from hitter to hitter, but the fundamentals of hitting are basically the same for every hitter. Some hitting coaches teach hitters to swing down on the ball, that is a hitting mechanic. An upper-cut swing is another mechanic that is sometimes taught. Some hitters are taught to "stay back" during the swing while others are taught to get to the front side. Swing mechanics can differ from hitter to hitter, depending on the hitting coach, but the fundamentals of hitting apply to all hitters.
I hope this information helps you to better understand the difference between The Fundamentals Of Hitting, Fundamental Hitting and Swing Mechanics.
Learn more about Hitting Fundamentals in the next article The Grip
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