Load-and-Hold

What it is for

Create an early, controlled and repeatable load.

What you're learning

The load is nothing big: a little coil back from the shoulders, then throw the knob. The hands stay in place and the shoulders create the load. The hitter gets the hands to the same location when starting the load, a repeatable spot for that hitter. You are actually loading with the pitcher as he is winding up, and you can never load too early.

Setup

Begin in the hitter's normal stance with a bat and no ball required.

How to do it

Move into the loaded position and hold briefly. Reset completely after each repetition.

Coaching cues

• Use a small controlled coil.
• The shoulders can begin the load.
• Keep the hands controlled.
• Use a leg lift only if the hitter can control it.

Common mistakes

• Creating too much movement.
• Hands drifting away from the body.
• Excessive head movement.
• Loading too late.

What the hitter should look for

The hands starting from the same location every time, and the load happening with the pitcher's windup. Too late looks like this: the ball almost gets to the plate, then the swing starts.

What Mom/Dad should watch for

The hands staying in place. The shoulder coil can make them look like they move back on video; that is not the hitter taking the hands back.

Equipment

• bat