CROSSOVER Soft Toss

A Drill to Teach Hitters How to Adjust to Off-Speed Pitches with Proper Timing and Balance

The Crossover Soft Toss drill forces the hitter to cross their back foot over their front foot and reset before swinging, simulating adjustments to off-speed pitches. This helps improve timing, body control, and mechanics when reacting to slower pitches.

This drill is an excellent way to develop a hitter’s ability to adjust to off-speed pitches while maintaining proper mechanics. By regularly practicing this drill, players will improve their balance, timing, and ability to stay composed when their timing is disrupted, leading to more effective hitting in game situations.

Difficulty Rating: ★★★★☆ (Challenging)
Time Estimate: 8-12 minutes

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Soft baseballs or tennis balls (to reduce injury risk)
  • L-screen or protective net (optional for coach’s safety)
  • A bat for the player
  • Bucket of balls for the coach
  1. Player Positioning:
  • The batter stands in their regular stance in the batter’s box.
  • The coach sets up approximately 5-7 feet in front of the batter behind a protective screen or L-screen for safety.
  • The player should have enough space to comfortably step across their front foot without getting off balance.
  1. Tossing Area:
  • The coach stands in a safe position to toss the ball underhand into the strike zone, ensuring enough room for the batter to execute the crossover and reset before swinging.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Coach Positioning:
  • Stand 5-7 feet in front of the batter, protected behind an L-screen or net. Be ready to toss balls underhand into the hitting zone at a controlled pace so the batter can focus on executing the drill.
  1. Soft Toss Execution:
  • The drill begins with the hitter standing in their regular stance. Before each toss, the hitter crosses their back foot over their front foot (right foot over left for right-handed hitters, left foot over right for left-handed hitters).
  • After crossing over, the hitter resets their feet into their regular stance before swinging at the tossed ball. The toss should come at a slightly slower speed to mimic an off-speed pitch.
  • The player must focus on regaining balance and timing before swinging, ensuring they stay composed and don’t rush the swing.
  • This sequence is repeated with each toss, forcing the hitter to continually adjust and reset their body.
  1. Repetitions:
  • Perform 8-10 swings per round with the crossover step, allowing for brief rest between sets. Rotate players to ensure proper recovery and feedback time.
  1. Adjustments:
  • For more experienced players, increase the speed and unpredictability of the toss. For younger or less experienced hitters, slow down the pace and make sure they are focusing on balance and control during the reset.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Crossover Soft Toss drill helps hitters learn to adjust to off-speed pitches by forcing them to reset their stance and timing. Off-speed pitches disrupt the hitter’s timing, and this drill mimics the process of regaining balance and making an effective swing after being thrown off by the speed. This is especially useful for teaching hitters not to rush their swings or lunge forward at slower pitches.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Timing and Patience: The crossover step mimics the delay that occurs when adjusting to off-speed pitches, helping the hitter wait for the ball and not get too far ahead of it.
  • Balance and Control: By crossing over and resetting before the swing, players work on maintaining balance and body control, even when their timing is disrupted.
  • Swing Mechanics: This drill reinforces the importance of staying within the swing mechanics, even after an adjustment, ensuring the player doesn’t lunge or lose form.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Focus on Balance: The key to this drill is balance. Encourage hitters to stay controlled during the crossover step, focusing on staying balanced when they reset before the swing.
  • Don’t Rush: The tendency for young players is to rush the swing after the reset. Remind them to stay patient, wait for the ball, and maintain their mechanics.
  • Timing the Swing: Work with the players on adjusting their timing as they reset. It’s critical to emphasize that the reset is part of simulating the adjustment to an off-speed pitch, so the swing should not be rushed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What should I do if the hitter loses balance during the crossover step?
  • Losing balance during the crossover is common, especially for younger players. Encourage them to slow down the motion and focus on getting back into a stable, athletic stance before swinging. The drill can be adjusted to emphasize balance over speed.
  1. Can this drill be used for younger players?
  • Yes, but younger players may need more time to develop the coordination required for the crossover step. Start with a slow pace and focus on helping them stay balanced and patient as they reset their feet.
  1. How do I increase the difficulty for more advanced players?
  • For advanced players, increase the speed of the toss, vary the pitch location, or throw pitches at different speeds to challenge their ability to make adjustments. You can also shorten the rest time between tosses to simulate game pressure.
  1. How often should this drill be incorporated into practice?
  • The Crossover Soft Toss drill can be used 1-2 times per week as part of a hitting routine. It’s an excellent tool for working on timing and adjusting to different speeds, so integrating it consistently can help hitters handle off-speed pitches more effectively.