Driving Through the Ball

Question:

My daughter’s batting average increased from .423 in the first 10 games of the season to .580 in the last 10 games. Everyone has taken notice of how well she is hitting the ball. She is in post season play now and continuing to work hard.  My question is that she seems to tend to rotate her hands too quickly (too close to impact) on occasion (perhaps when she’s trying too hard), hitting the top of the ball, resulting in bouncy ground balls. Does this seem to be a likely reason for bouncy ground balls? How do we correct this?

Answer:

Good job with your daughter, it sounds like she is doing great.   As you know you don’t want the hands to roll over until well after contact. That being said, be sure your daughter is staying inside the ball and she is not casting her top had too soon.

The answer may also be in a lack of strength at this time. Work on staying inside the ball and not rolling the top hand, but this habit may eliminate itself with swing strength.  I would have her do fence drills and one-handed drills if she is strong enough to do so. Concentrating on not rolling the top hand too soon. Another drill you can do is a top hand release drill. Have her swing the bat and after contact and before she rolls her top hand have her release her top hand, keeping her top hand palm up, do not allow the top hand to roll over at all. This will help her to feel the top hand palm up, have her perform this drill off of the tee or in soft toss. It will feel a little strange, and this is only a drill, have her take her regular swing in the game, not thinking about any of these drills.