In my estimation, most of your coaching and teaching probably centers around the next phase of hitting, the stride. The stride is nothing more than a small movement that allows the hitter to achieve a strong, powerful position to initiate the swing. There are many terms used to describe this movement including stride, trigger, load, and so on. The important fact of this movement is that the hitter places her lower and upper body in a position that allows her to generate a swing on time and on the proper plane of the pitch, with maximum bat speed while managing some degree of balance.

Through my years of teaching this phase of hitting, I have found that many hitters make this move too late and create a base that inhibits their ability to use their legs properly. A hitter can never stride too early! The key to this movement is to understand the proper sequence and the foundation the hitter is trying to achieve.

As the heel lifts and the knee rolls slightly inward to initiate the stride, the hands slightly move into the position from which the batter launches the bat. Contact with the ground is made with the inside of the foot.

The stride is completed by executing a short, soft step toward the pitcher, maintaining a degree of closure with the front foot (45 to 90 degrees in relationship to the plate). Contact with the ground is made with the inside of the foot.

The lower body has maintained flexibility, the head is perfectly still, and the hands are prepared to initiate the swing.

Common flaws that exist in the stride occur when the hitter overstrides to a point that her weight must move forward, causing her head to have excess movement. When the hitter attempts to load her hands as she strides, it creates a separation of her power base (hands and weight, moving in opposite directions at the same time). Therefore, it is very important to load the hands before moving the stride foot.

The final point I would like to make regarding the stride foot is that the heel must get down to the ground to allow a firm base (front side) to hit against as the hitter begins the explosive movement of the swing. Many hitters do not actually move their stride foot forward but rather pick it up and put it down, or they just execute the loading phase and then hit. This type of hitter usually spreads her initial stance to achieve a balanced and powerful position. I have found that hitters move into a strong hitting position or start in that position.