Front-Hand Whip

What it is for

Teach the front hand to create speed and whip.

What you're learning

The front hand pulls from the elbow through the hand. That pulling action creates whip. The hitter should feel speed being created through the hand path instead of trying to muscle the barrel around the body.

Setup

Use a tee with the ball at a comfortable middle location. Grip the bat with the front hand only and begin at controlled effort.

How to do it

Load under control. Pull from the elbow through the hand and deliver the knob toward the ball. Finish the swing under control and reset before the next repetition.

Coaching cues

• The front hand pulls.
• Think elbow to hand.
• Create whip instead of pushing the bat.
• Stay direct to the ball.

Common mistakes

• Dragging the barrel.
• Rolling the wrist early.
• Reaching away from the body.
• Trying to muscle the ball.

What the hitter should look for

The pull comes from the elbow to the hand, not from the shoulders. Coach Bass is clear that this is not a tug of war: the hitter is not trying to get the hands moving by moving the shoulders or starting the hands with momentum.

Equipment

• bat
• balls
• tee