Hitting a baseball is certainly a very difficult skill to develop. In fact, it's considered by many the single most challenging thing to do in sports. The irony behind the difficulty of the skill is that the top people in the sport say you should go to bat without thinking.
It's because great hitters are made during practice. Hitting well involves the right body mechanics and focused training. If you weren't born with it you can develop it; if you train smart.
I believe hitting is the most over-taught skill in sports. It's quite obvious that a hitter needs a clear head when batting. So why the heck would a coach yell 10 commands at a hitter when he's hitting? I have no idea why they do this. This is the most effective technique for confusing and distracting a batter. Is this the goal?
The key is to keep it simple. Focus during practice. Segment the training of your swing to become an expert in each aspect. When you've done enough work to engrain that into your muscle memory then you can move on to the next part of your swing that needs help.
Standing at the plate can bring on nervousness, but it's important to stay calm and relaxed. Your body must be able to react very quickly. When the muscles are pre-tensioned there is a delay to react which robs acceleration and velocity. Part of staying relaxed includes not grabbing the bat tightly when batting. Keeping a relaxed hold on the bat will help relax the body which will improve reaction time and hitting power.
The body core and legs are critical for proper hitting form. Do not become an upper body hitter. The most famous sluggers use the body most effectively by moving from the core outward - engaging the hips, legs and having great form throughout. Also, don't "squash the bug." This recommendation robs hitters of strength in the swing every day and should be banned.
Last, but certainly not least, work on your baseball-specific vision. Practice following small thrown objects - like baseballs. Learn to anticipate where the ball will go. The skill of following the speed and direction of a baseball is critical to successful hitting. Be sure to get regular vision checks. After all, you can't hit what you can't see!
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