Hitting the ball in front of the plate (in line with the front hip, not the back hip) is what makes the ball travel. Kids who hit off the back leg make weak contact. Move the tee forward and the swing has to extend.
What you need: A tee, 10 baseballs, a bat, a fence or net.
Setup: Tee positioned in line with the front hip (front foot side). Kid in batting stance.
How to run it:
- Cue: Set, Load, Step, Swing.
- Show them where the ball is now. The tee is in front of where the back foot used to be the target.
- Have them swing. The first 3 swings will probably miss because they’re used to hitting the ball further back.
- After each swing, reset. Tell them: “Hit the ball in front.”
- Do 10 swings. Most kids will adjust by rep 6.
What to watch: The point of contact. The bat should be extended, both arms straight (or close to straight), at the moment of contact. Bent elbows at contact mean the ball is too far back.
If they’re struggling: Move the tee slightly back. Find the spot where they make contact, then move it forward an inch at a time over multiple sessions.
If they’ve got it: Move the tee further forward (a foot in front of the front hip). Now they have to step and reach to make solid contact.