In baseball, the direction of your swing plays a crucial role in generating power. One common issue that affects many hitters is “stepping in the bucket,” which can lead to poor swing mechanics and a significant loss of power. Along with this, another issue, “hitting around the baseball,” also causes inefficiencies in generating force and consistency. Fortunately, there are simple drills you can incorporate into your practice routine to correct these habits and improve your hitting.
What is “Stepping in the Bucket”?
“Stepping in the bucket” occurs when your front foot strides too far open during the swing. The main problem with this is that it often causes your front shoulder to open up as well. When the front shoulder opens too early, it leads to two major issues:
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Reduced Plate Coverage: An open front shoulder limits your ability to cover the entire strike zone. With this flaw, you can only effectively hit inside fastballs. By keeping your front shoulder closed during the stride, you maintain better plate coverage, which allows you to reach pitches on both sides of the plate.
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Loss of Power: Opening up the front shoulder prematurely significantly reduces your power. When you let your shoulder open too early, you waste a lot of your body’s momentum before the ball even arrives. It’s similar to deflating a balloon halfway—once you release the pressure, the remaining energy is far less impactful. To maintain power, you need to keep your shoulder closed until your hips begin to open, at which point the shoulder follows in a natural chain reaction that drives the power through your body.
What is “Hitting Around the Baseball”?
The second issue is “hitting around the baseball,” which often involves the elbow. This flaw occurs when the hitter swings around the baseball instead of through it. This usually happens when the elbow pulls away from the body, causing the hands to travel farther from the body. As a result, the bat path becomes inefficient, and you may start pulling ground balls or hitting weak line drives to the pull side.
To correct this, focus on keeping your elbow close to your body throughout the swing. This helps keep your hands in the optimal position for generating power and control. Allowing your elbow to drift away breaks the power chain and leads to weaker, less controlled swings.
Drills to Fix “Stepping in the Bucket” and “Hitting Around the Baseball”
Here are two simple drills you can do to correct both of these flaws:
1. Bat Behind the Heels Drill
This drill helps to keep your front foot in the right position and prevents you from stepping open too early. By positioning the bat behind your heels, you’ll be more conscious of keeping your stride in the right direction and maintaining a strong, closed front shoulder.
2. Chin to Shoulder Drill
This drill encourages you to maintain a proper stance and follow through, ensuring your swing stays on course. The goal is to keep your front side tight and your shoulders in line, reducing the tendency to open up too early.
Additional Tip: You can place a paper or a ball beneath your rear elbow to reinforce the correct positioning of your elbow during the swing. This helps to prevent the elbow from drifting and ensures that your swing path remains strong and controlled.
Final Thoughts
Correcting “stepping in the bucket” and “hitting around the baseball” requires focusing on keeping your front shoulder closed and your elbow tucked in. These simple adjustments will help improve your power and control, leading to a more consistent and effective swing. Try these drills regularly, and you’ll notice significant improvements in your hitting performance.
