SWING · AGES 7–12
Let the bat travel through the ball.
Young hitters sometimes try to chop down on the ball. Other times they try to scoop it into the sky. Both ideas make the barrel leave the ball too quickly.
Teach young hitters to let the bat travel through the ball instead of chopping down or scooping up. Put a soft target just past the tee and make the job sending the barrel toward it after contact, with one cue: “through it.”
Train it: 30-Day Swing Structure →A simple better thought: let the bat travel through the ball. This does not mean forcing a long pose. It means staying connected to the target for a little more space.
Use a target
Place a soft cone, towel or imaginary target just past the tee. The hitter’s job is to send the barrel toward that target after contact. Keep it safe and use soft equipment when space is tight.
Let the pitch choose the path
A high pitch and a low pitch are not the same. Players do not need a complicated explanation. Just teach them to match the ball: see where it is, swing through it and stay in balance.
Say less
One clear cue beats a dozen instructions. “Through it” is plenty for a round. Let the player get reps, listen to the ball and feel what solid contact sounds like.
Parent cue: Notice line drives and hard ground balls. They are both signs the barrel stayed through the ball.
Parent questions
Should kids swing down on the ball?
Chopping down and scooping up both make the barrel leave the ball too quickly. Teach them to match the pitch and let the barrel travel through it.
How do I know my child is staying through the ball?
Look for line drives and hard ground balls. Both are signs the barrel stayed on the path of the ball.
What's the best hitting cue for young players?
One short cue per round, such as “through it.” A dozen instructions make it harder for a young player to feel solid contact.