Back-Hand Hammer

What it is for

Teach the back hand to support and deliver the barrel.

What you're learning

The back hand's job: throw the barrel of the bat straight to the ball and through the ball. If the ball was a nail and the bat was a hammer, you are throwing the barrel head to the ball. When the barrel is dragging, use the wrist like using a hammer: the wrist throws the head of the bat to the ball while the bottom hand is simultaneously throwing the knob. Neither action happens first; together they make the swing.

Setup

Use a tee and begin with controlled back-hand work.

How to do it

Deliver the barrel through the ball as if the back hand is driving a hammer into a nail. Keep the movement controlled and finish through contact.

Coaching cues

• Hammer the nail.
• The back hand supports the barrel.
• Deliver the barrel through contact.
• Do not turn this into a push from the shoulder.

Common mistakes

• Pushing from the shoulder.
• Dropping the barrel underneath the ball.
• Rolling the wrist early.
• Trying to lift the ball.

What the hitter should look for

Hard contact. Contact happens with the back arm bent, like the arm position before throwing an uppercut, and extension comes after contact, with the ball on the barrel as the back hand throws the barrel through it.

What Mom/Dad should watch for

The barrel is the tell for the back hand; you do not need to see the hand itself. Watch whether the barrel gets to the ball or drags through the zone.

Equipment

• bat
• balls
• tee