How to Train Your Hitters at Game Speed
High School players at HitStreak take part in a variety of batting practice drills to replicate game speed, involve healthy competition and prepare for the season.
Elevate Your Batting Practice Sessions by Replicating Game Speed AND Realistic Timing
As the spring season approaches, baseball and softball teams across the country are gearing up for the season with indoor training sessions. Here in Colorado, we offer the best in facilities and training as players can get hundreds and hundreds of reps in the tunnels and cages. However, as your team and players train indoors, are they training in realistic environments to best help them successfully prepare for game speeds?
It's crucial to ensure that hitters are not just swinging away aimlessly but are instead honing their skills at game speed and, with the right approach, hitters can be better prepared to face live pitchers by replicating these situations. This means not only focusing on swing mechanics but also on timing and reaction.
Take a look at the chart below which calculates game-like reaction speeds. By incorporating these charts into batting practice sessions, coaches and their hitters can train their minds and bodies to react quickly and effectively to varying pitch velocities, just like they would in a real game. The chart details the reaction time for different velocities whether releasing from the mound, front toss or 35-foot batting practice. Use it as a guide when throwing front toss or batting practice, or if using a pitching machine from the corresponding distances.
Whether you’re an advanced player training to face 95 MPH pitchers or a youth player looking to get reps against age-appropriate velocities, set your practice and training up for success and look to incrementally grow from there. This split-second decision-making and timing is what sets great hitters apart from the rest, and it's a skill that can be developed through focused practice at game speed.
Coaches can also implement drills that simulate game-like situations, such as hitting off live pitching or facing pitchers with different pitch repertoires. These drills not only help hitters adjust to the speed and movement of real-game pitches but also allow them to work on their timing and decision-making under pressure.
Additionally, incorporating competitive elements into batting practice can add an extra layer of intensity and focus. Whether it's keeping track of hits and misses or setting up friendly competitions between hitters, there are a number of options to mix in during practice. Coaches can also set up a “two-strike challenge” where the player remains in the cage simulating an at-bat with two strikes on him or her until there is a swing and miss or called strike. No matter the age, creating a healthy, competitive atmosphere can motivate players to perform at their best and simulate the pressure they'll experience in actual games.
As teams ramp up for the season, it's essential to prioritize training at game speed. There’s no direct substitute to facing live pitchers. However, by utilizing this reaction time chart to replicate appropriate game speed, simulating game-like situations, and fostering a competitive environment, hitters can sharpen their skills and be better prepared to succeed when they step onto the field. As you hit the batting cages this season, remember: it's not just about swinging the bat; it's about training with purpose to excel when it matters most.
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