Hitting Drills: Three Tee Drill

Focus To give hitters chances to visualize exactly where each located pitch should be hit.

Setup A coach works with individual hitters. You’ll need three tees. Set up home plate at one end of the cage. Set up the first tee on the inside corner at the front of the plate. Set up the second tee in the middle of the plate. Set up the third tee on the outside corner at the back of the plate. All three tees should be level to allow a swing through a ball on any one of them.

Procedure The batter sets up his stance in relation to the plate. The coach is on the opposite side of the plate in position to place balls on a tee. Once the hitter is ready, he closes his eyes. The coach places a ball on the inside, middle, or outside tee. Once the ball is placed on a tee, the coach says, “Now.” The hitter loads up his hands and body. As the front foot is about to hit the ground, he opens his eyes. He identifies which tee the ball is on and instantly drives the ball in the correct direction.

Coaching Points Many young hitters try to hit every ball at the same contact point. Many start their swing before they know what they want to do with the ball. This drill helps them learn to change their point of contact. Hitters learn contact for pitches thrown inside, down the middle, or outside. They learn to see and identify a pitch before taking a swing. Have hitters occasionally open their eyes with no ball on the tee. Check the result. No swing should be taken, and the hitter should remain in proper hitting position. Repetitions of this drill give hitters a feel for where to make contact on each pitch and reinforce the importance of pitch identification.

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