3-Step Hitting is a drill designed to focus on the feet, in an effort to create a strong and stable base.  With that accomplished, athletes are ready to accept further instruction.  To reach that point, begin with the legs (“ground-up” philosophy) and use three cones: red, white, and blue.

Execution – Three cones are placed at the batters feet:

• Red = Back foot
• White = Front foot (start)
• Blue = Front foot stride

To begin, instruct the batter to position the feet at the red and white cones.  The primary action will be limiting the movement of the feet to a single step: The front foot stepping from white to blue cone. Therefore, start each athlete with broken swings and instruct the hitter to take a stride, load, and then freeze.  Next, place the ball upon the tee and encourage the batter to swing aggressively.  Here, the hitters challenge is to hold a finish with strength and balance.  No more steps!

1. Step 2. Swing 3. Hold Finish

Move into full swings (no stopping) and keep careful eye that the athlete is taking only a single, controlled step with the front foot.  Going forward, use these three cones (or other markers) to consistently encourage clean footwork while swinging.

DC Keys

1. Stay Aggressive – Swing hard and hold a balanced finish!
2. Use Broken or Block Movements – Broken swings allows focus on early (Position #1) and late (Position #3).
3. Build a Foundation – Ground-up philosophy requires a strong and balanced base.  This allows for more (and more advanced) instruction.

EQUIPMENT LIST