Slugs Hitting Session Tips

Video Highlights

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Using 5 slugs in a row with minimal coaching

The aim is to get the hitter to hit the ball square and with intent. The batter should not change their swing just because they know a slug is coming. Their swing should be identical to their normal baseball swing. Coaching should be minimal in terms of technique. This is not where you want to work on the swing.

Pick a focus for the session

Pick a single focus for that round so that they player is not confused as to the purpose for the round. Don't want to overload them with too much coaching. Remind them to stay inside and not chase balls that are outside. They should be trying to hit the ball as hard as possible.

Use slugs to give hitters a lot of feedback

Remind them to pay attention to the feedback the ball is giving them. The PVC shell of a slug is designed to provide feedback to the hitter better than a leather baseball. When struck the batter can easily tell if the ball is being struck square or if the impact is too high or too low.

hitters should aim straight at coach's face

The batter should aim at the coach's face. A ball that is struck too high or too low will spin off to the left or the right. A ball struck correctly will hit the net directly in front of the coach or go straight toward the back of the cage.

switch to 2 slugs and 2-3 leather balls

Feeding the two slugs will give the hitter the weighted stimulus so that when the real baseball (5 oz.) is hit, the batter is more likely to hit it with force because the muscles have been trained to expect the heavier ball.

Monitor progress and remind hitters to hit with purpose

If the coach notices a hitter swinging early or late or chasing a ball out of the strike zone, he should remind the hitter to have an approach, swinging at quality pitches and attacking the ball. Monitor progress. If the hitter is rolling over his hands or swinging at pitches that are too high or too low, they should be reminded to use proper form and swing at good pitches.

Overall emphasis should be simple

Pick a focus, but keep it simple. For technical days, the approach might be more on technique, while other days just might focus on hitting with explosiveness. Don't overload the hitters with too much detail. Keep it nice and simple.

different perspective

The video shows a different camera angle so viewers can see the hitters hitting from a different perspective.

Key Takeaways

1. use a combination of Slugs and regular baseballs to help athletes learn to transfer hitting power from the Slug to baseball
2. hit with intent
3. keep swings consistent no matter if hitting a Slug or baseball
4. keep coaching to a minimum in terms of technique; focus on one concept per round
5. stay inside baseball