Let’s face it, teaching hitting can get messy.

One player’s too stiff. Another’s swinging straight down. And then there’s a chorus of voices yelling “Elbow up!” “Swing down!” “Feet together!” all at once. Sound familiar?

Whether you’re coaching tee-ballers or travel players, the truth is: most hitting issues come from well-meaning but confusing instruction. In our latest YouTube video, Coach Duke and Coach Steve break down exactly what not to do when teaching hitting and more importantly, what works instead.

Stop Over-Coaching. Start Building Confidence.

The batter’s box should be a place where players feel athletic, aggressive, and ready to hit. But too often, they get bogged down with outdated cues and robotic expectations that destroy their rhythm and confidence. Here’s what we cover:

Top Mistakes Coaches Make (And How to Fix Them)

1. Cookie-Cutter Cues

“Feet here. Elbow up. Swing level. Everyone the same.”
➡️ Fix: Not every hitter is built the same! Teach athletic movement, not identical positions. Great hitters load differently, stand differently, and think differently; and that’s OK!

2.  Mid-At-Bat Yelling

“Swing up! No, swing down! Wait, bend your knees!”
➡️ Fix: Players need to compete, not process five commands mid-pitch. Let them play, cheer them on, and save feedback for between reps.

3. “Keep Your Eye on the Ball”

It’s not wrong, but it’s not specific.
➡️ Fix: Use visuals like colored foam balls, mini golf balls, or yes/yes/no tracking drills to teach pitch recognition and proper focus.

How to Actually Teach Hitting

• Teach a strong, athletic setup
• Use easy checkpoints like knob-to-knee rubber band tension for load
• Keep it simple: palm up/palm down at contact, chin on back shoulder to finish
• Train confident swings, not perfect stances

🎥 Want to see it all in action?