Regular Front Toss Hitting Drill

A Simple Hitting Drill for Improving Hand-Eye Coordination and Hitting Mechanics

The Regular Front Soft Toss is a standard drill in youth baseball that focuses on hand-eye coordination and proper hitting mechanics. This drill is ideal for players of all skill levels and is easy to implement during practices.

Difficulty Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (Moderate)
Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Batting tee (optional, for warming up)
  • Soft baseballs or tennis balls (to minimize injury and ensure confidence)
  • L-screen or protective net (for safety of the coach)
  • A bat for the player
  • Bucket of balls for the coach to toss from
  1. Player Positioning:
  • The batter stands in the batter’s box, ready to hit.
  • The coach sets up behind an L-screen or protective net, approximately 10-12 feet in front of the batter. The toss should come from a low and centered position, typically underhand.
  1. Tossing Area:
  • The coach should kneel or sit behind the protective screen and toss the ball in a slow, controlled manner to the batter’s front zone, allowing them to focus on tracking the ball.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Coach Positioning:
  • The coach gets into position behind the L-screen to toss the ball, ensuring safety and a clear angle for the batter.
  1. Soft Toss Execution:
  • The coach tosses the ball underhand with a smooth, easy motion, aiming to get the ball into the strike zone where the batter can make contact. The toss should be straight in front of the batter.
  • Tosses should be varied slightly in height and location to simulate game-like conditions, but not too erratic, as the focus is on contact.
  • Players should be coached to use proper swing mechanics—hands inside the ball, good balance, and smooth follow-through.
  1. Repetitions:
  • Each batter should take 10-15 swings before switching out to the next player in the rotation.
  • Encourage batters to focus on quality, not just quantity of swings.
  1. Rotating Players:
  • If working with a group, rotate players after each set of 10-15 swings, allowing for rest and observation time between turns.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Regular Front Soft Toss drill is a staple in hitting practice because it allows batters to focus on their hand-eye coordination while working on proper hitting mechanics. With the slower and controlled toss, players can better see the ball, anticipate contact, and correct their mechanics in real time. This is especially helpful for younger players learning the fundamentals of their swing or more advanced players working on refining their timing and bat control.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Hand-Eye Coordination: Players learn to track the ball and make contact, which is fundamental in improving their ability to hit moving pitches during games.
  • Swing Mechanics: The drill encourages correct hand positioning, swing path, balance, and weight transfer, ensuring a mechanically sound swing.
  • Confidence: The controlled toss from the front helps build confidence by giving batters consistent chances to make solid contact with the ball.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Make sure the batter maintains balance throughout the swing, avoiding lunging or falling forward. Emphasize staying back and driving through the ball.
  • Adjust the speed and location of the toss based on the player’s age and skill level. Younger players may need softer, slower tosses, while more advanced players can handle quicker, more game-like tosses.
  • Focus on consistent contact over power. Remind players to hit the ball where it’s pitched, rather than swinging too hard and missing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Should I use real baseballs or softer balls?
  • For beginners or younger players, it’s safer and more effective to use soft baseballs or tennis balls to build confidence. Older, more advanced players can use real baseballs.
  1. How far should I be from the batter when tossing?
  • You should be about 10-12 feet from the batter, but this can be adjusted based on the player’s age or comfort level.
  1. What if the player is struggling to make contact?
  • Slow the toss down and make sure the player is keeping their head on the ball and watching it all the way to the bat. You can also check their stance and grip to ensure they’re properly set up for success.
  1. Is this drill useful for older players?
  • Absolutely! The front soft toss is a great way to refine mechanics and focus on specific swing improvements, regardless of age.