Get Off Your Backside and Stride Properly with the Long Stride Drill

Written By: Garrett Gordon

Help Your Swing By Striding Forward

In regards to tempo and timing, the Long Stride Drill is great when done correctly.  Hitters who feel that they are spinning off the ball are probably caught on their backside.  Being able to move forward during your stride is key to getting the most out of a hitters swing. 

This is for hitters to gain a better understanding of how early they start to load, the tempo they move at, and overall body control.  

What Are We Trying to Correct with this Drill?

  1. Tempo: I am very big on how fast and how smooth my hitter’s stride in lessons.  When hitters are forced to start in a more narrow stance they have to start earlier to time the pitch.  The early preparation gives them time to set up their body with a good hinge at the hips and a slight turn in with their upper body. Moving smoothly while staying controlled is key here. 

2. Swing Direction: Since we are striding farther the hitter's body will move forward more than normal.  When hitters keep there head back as they move forward this helps set their body up in power positions.  The forward motion will help their swing go where it needs to go. Since the ball comes from the middle of the field (pitcher) we need our body to stride that way properly so we can react to the pitch with the correct swing direction. 

3. Getting off of Your Backside-  As I mentioned before, hitters who have a tendency to get stuck back and spin-off the ball have minimal forward movement. Feeling the longer stride, in my opinion, will help free up the hitter's movement patterns and get them comfortable with starting early and moving the hips forward. 

Keep in Mind

Hitter's, especially young ones, will have a tendency to drive their head forward during this drill. This is extremely detrimental to hitters and put's them in terrible positions that hinder their success.

If we have the hitters focus on striding with their hips and moving them out farther, then we are creating the proper angles needed to drive the ball into the outfield.

Did you like this content? Check out some of our Products or Other Articles!

  • Rebel's Rack

    The Rebel’s Rack

    $89.99
    Select options
UNLOCK POWER WITH BETTER SEPARATION

Create Better Separation with the Rebel’s Rack

The ability for an athlete to rotate in proper kinematic sequence allows for maximum speed gain throughout rotation. The first step in this sequence is proper hip shoulder separation. Oftentimes in rotation, the first mistake is the worst mistake. Learning to properly disassociate pelvic rotation from shoulder rotation is key in creating bat speed.

Stop Spinning Off the Ball

What No One Tells You About Hitter’s Spinning Off the Ball

Every coach, instructor or parent that has ever worked in baseball has dealt with a hitter ”spinning off”. If it’s so common and has been dealt with so often, why is it still around? Here is what no one is saying about “spinning off”.

You’ve Reached a BR Premium Article

For the past 10+ years, we’ve been using and perfecting (using crazy amounts of HitTrax data) our Non-Invasive Hitting Training to make hitters of all ages and level hit harder and more consistently, without even changing their swing. With your BR Premium subscription, you’ll get access to our best, most in depth articles covering not only the details of our Non-Invasive Methodology, but loads of other topics from pitching and arm care to vision and plate discipline!

Not sure about this concept of Non-Invasive Training? Get our Learn The Turn: 30 Days to a Faster Turn eBook to see how our process began, and start your 30 Day Program to develop the Rotational Skill required to hit the ball harder than ever!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR BR PREMIUM!

LOG IN HERE TO ACCESS BR PREMIUM!

Leave a Reply