STRIDE AND TRIGGER


STRIDE
There are advantages to teaching a slight stride with the front foot at the start of the swing. The main benefit is that it allows the hitter to position her foot so that her weight can transfer to the ball of her foot. In addition, the stride will allow the foot to rotate to about 45 degrees. This will help the hip as it rotates. Be cautious when teaching a stride: although you may want the positioning, you do not want students to move their center of balance very much (if at all) when striding.Example



TRIGGER
I have always considered the trigger to be the point at which the hitter can no longer stop the swing. This can be when the front hip starts to rotate. Everything up to this point can be stopped if the hitter wants to take the pitch. Avoid teaching a trigger as a part of the swing but see it more as a natural event that occurs at the go-no-go point in which the hitter commits to the pitch.



STRIDE AND PLANTING THE FRONT FOOT
There are advantages to teaching students to stride slightly from the ready position. This allows the swing to move forward and set the front foot in a good position as it rotates through the swing. To encourage this teaches the student to relax at the set and then, as the hitter is going to the ready, she can flex her front foot while loading her muscles. Example



LANDING ON THE BIG TOE
When teaching students to stride and plant the front foot on the pitch, stress that the stride should be very short, but should include rotating the front foot counterclockwise about 45 degrees. I will use the term “land on the big toe” to help explain how I would like the stride foot to land. Example I do not consider this a trigger but instead a step required to place the hitter in a position to start her swing. This should happen regardless of the hitter taking or swinging at the pitch.



WEIGHT AND FOOTWORK
I believe and teach that a weight transfer should not take place until after the hands start to move forward. I am careful to work with my students to keep their balance and weight in place even after the stride. Remember, the stride is very slight and should not affect much regarding the over-all stance. Example



BALANCE IS A KEY
I often emphasize balance as the most important element when practicing a stride. I demonstrate this by asking a student to stride and stop. I can then push on her helmet and see whether she loses her balance or feels strong within her stance. Example I will stress that feeling strong in her stance enhances the overall swing.