Introduction To Girls' Softball Hitting

We’ve created this collection of youth softball videos for coaches and parents to use in teaching their kids the fundamentals of hitting. Spanning from bat selection to soft-toss, our team of experts provides step-by-step instruction on how to hit a softball in a live game situation. This series begins with a simple guide for parents and coaches to use in selecting the right softball bat for their youth players. In Softball Equipment: How to Choose the Right Bat, Coach Kelly Jackson looks at the different types of bats and how to choose the correct weight, length, and grip-size for players at various levels. Making an informed softball bat purchase will save you money and give your player the best chance to succeed on the field.
 
The next video, Softball Hitting: Proper Grip, Stance and Swing, looks at the basics of how to hold the bat, how to stand in the batter’s box, and how to transfer body weight during a swing. At the youth level especially, consistent hitting requires a fundamentally-sound approach at the plate. We recommend using these softball tips as a starting point for teaching young players in both a team and/or individual setting.

These same skills are expanded on in Softball Hitting: The Swing in Slow Motion. Coach Ricciardi dissects one of her player’s swings to demonstrate the proper technique for hitting a live pitch. Take advantage of this lesson to give your youth softball players a model to emulate as they practice their swings.

Youth players should focus primarily on making consistent contact with the ball. Once this skill is mastered, practice routines such as those demonstrated in Softball Drills: Walk Through Hitting Drill are helpful for extracting more swing power out of the player’s lower body. This has proven to be an excellent drill for developing lower body muscle memory and creating forward momentum towards the pitcher.

Simulating a live pitch is a great way to prepare players for hitting in a game scenario. We like the drill presented in Softball Drills: Angle Toss Hitting Drill, because it trains hitters to work on pitch tracking while reinforcing the importance of keeping their hands inside of the ball. Try experimenting with different toss trajectories and placements for an added level of difficulty.