Linear Hitting

7 secret steps to great contact hitting

(Don't miss out on how you can get FREE linear hitting lessons on the bottom of this page.)

Linear hitting is a hitting style that has been used for many years in fast pitch softball and by many little league coaches, some high school, college, and even minor league baseball coaches who still prefer this method of hitting instruction. Slo-pitch softball players who go more for singles will gain a better understanding of how to hit following the steps on this page.

It is used to achieve solid contact hitting, producing strong line drives, and sharply hit ground balls which are designed to shoot through the drawn-in infielders on the hard dirt surfaces of softball (and astroturf surfaces in baseball). It is especially useful in slap hitting (fast runners who hit it on the ground and beat it out to first base).

Baseball players who use this style, do so especially when they use the ultra light aluminum bats and as I mentioned above if they play on astroturf surfaces. Players like Tony Gwynn, Suzuki Ichiro, Rod Carew and others are identified more closely with this linear hitting style than with the rotational style.

If this is the swing that matches your goals, then master these 7 steps and you are on your way to achieving your goal of being a hitter that can go as far as your dreams, desires, and hard work can take you.

JUMP INTO THE BOX

The stance is similar to when you land from a jump - knees bent - feet slightly wider than your shoulders - on balance - bend slightly forward from the waist.

DOOR KNOCKING KNUCKLES

The best grip to use will line up the knuckles we would use to knock on a door. This allows for a freer and quicker swing.

BIG TOE

This reminds us of the soft step that starts the swing with weight landing on the big toe. It’s no more than 6” and keeps the weight back while this step is taken. It also reminds us to keep the front foot closed.

SQUISH THE BUG

When we hit, we need to use not just our arms, but get the big muscles in our hips and torso working, as well. This is a hard twisting on the ball of our back foot.

KARATE CHOP / KARATE PUNCH

We need to take the barrel of our bat right to the ball, like in karate. The lower hand would be a snap from the elbow straight out, while the top hand would go straight toward the ball so that it meets the ball in the ...

THE RED ZONE

Hit the ball out in front, where our hands and arms are fully extended for maximum impact with the ball contacting the sweet spot of the bat. Also known as the hitting zone or success zone.

FOLLOW THROUGH

This reminds us that once we’ve hit the ball to bring the bat through the zone quickly. You’re still in your straight balanced position, but your hands go right from contact to your shoulder or back.

PRINT THIS PAGE and post it where you can see it often and practice these 7 steps over and over until you've mastered them. Then you just might hear someone in the stands yelling "That's a great hitter".

FREE HITTING LESSONS

So that you can understand all of these linear hitting steps better, I've arranged for you to get FREE lessons via e-mail, so sign up right now and your first lesson will be on it's way!

If you're interested in the differences between linear hitting and a rotational swing, follow this link.

ADDITIONAL HELP

If you want more personalized linear hitting instruction, either give me a call - 805-642-5827 or get my video.