Hitting Drills: Strike Zone Recognition Drill

Focus To work on recognizing each pitch as a ball or a strike.

Setup A coach works with individual hitters. Set up home plate at one end of the cage. The coach throws from 45 to 60 feet away. This drill can also be done on the field.

Procedure The coach throws any type of pitch he wants to the hitter. The hitter is in his stance preparing to load up and stride. No swings are taken. Once the pitch has been thrown, the hitter says yes if the pitch is a strike or no if the pitch is a ball. The hitter takes his stride in a normal sequence and holds his hitting position once the ball has passed.

Coaching Points By removing the swing, this drill encourages a hitter to concentrate on seeing the ball and deciding whether it’s a strike or a ball. Too many hitters take for granted that they know the strike zone. This drill reinforces and improves knowledge, leading to a more selective hitter. All good hitters can control the strike zone; this drill improves that ability.

This is a simple drill. Results are higher batting averages and increased walk totals. As hitters get adept at the drill, they should say yes or no with the ball farther and farther away. The sooner hitters can make the distinction between a strike and a ball, the longer they have to react with a swing. As hitters become advanced from 60 feet, slowly reduce the distance to make the drill more difficult. Constant challenges lead to constant improvement. Eventually the hitter develops a disciplined approach.

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