In an attempt to keep this segment simple, BP Reps: Front Toss is a station where a coach uses underhand tosses to get swings… and maybe even teach something!

EXECUTION – Front Toss is defined as standing in front of an athlete, and underhand-tossing the ball into the strike zone.  Coach uses a slow and predictable arm swing, stepping into the toss, to put the baseball into a desired location for the hitter.  This brings anticipation into a hitter’s technique, as the athlete must now time the arm swing to stride, load, and swing.  Coach needs to stand behind an L-screen, with the tall part protecting the body.  Strikes are virtually guaranteed, which means the athletes can quickly get swings and the drill can move along.  There are three main execution variables:

1. Format – Drill can be run in a cage, bullpen, open grass area… virtually anywhere.
2. Location – Soft Toss allows for ball to be thrown inside, outside, up or down.
3. Material – Straight forward, freezes (take arm back and fake a toss), change-up toss (higher ball flight, unexpected to the batter)

DC KEYS

1. Instruction – Soft toss is appropriate for all hitters.  On-deck batter can stride & load in rhythm with coach’s toss.
2. Coaching Opportunity for Success – Don’t need to be hitting coach to keep athletes busy and get swings!  Move quickly, involve a couple different rounds of exeuction.
3. Broken Movements – Take the hand back, wait for a stride and load, then continue with toss for athlete swing.  Later, when going full speed, mix in a fake toss and freeze!  See if the athlete stays “loaded” or lunges forward with the hands and body.

EQUIPMENT LIST