What it is
The hitter needs to get the hands to the same location when starting the load — a repeatable starting location for THIS hitter, not a universal position. The load is nothing big. A little coil back from the shoulders, and then throw the knob. The hands stay in place — the shoulders create the load. You are actually loading with the pitcher as he is winding up, and you can never load too early.
Why it matters
A lot of hitters will let the ball get to the attack zone and then try to load, and the ball beats their bat. Keeping the hands still is about consistency — knowing exactly where your hands are at all times.
What to look for
The hands starting from the same location every time. The load happening WITH the pitcher's windup. Hands staying in place (the shoulder coil can make them look like they move back — that is not the hitter taking the hands back). Too late looks like: the ball almost gets to the plate, then the swing starts.
How to do it
Start the load with the pitcher as he is winding up, not when the ball is already on its way. Get the hands to your same starting spot and keep them there; a small coil of the shoulders creates the load. It is nothing big: a little coil back, then throw the knob, at the same time the back hand throws the barrel to the ball. The Load-and-Hold drill trains an early, controlled and repeatable load.
What good looks like
The load is done before the ball reaches the attack zone, so the ball never beats the bat because the hitter loaded late. The hands start from the same place every time and stay there while the shoulders coil. The swing starts on time, not after the ball is almost to the plate.
Train it with Coach Bass
Drills for this