High school
Hitting
All positions
Advanced
Troy Snitker Stay-on-the-Plate Breaking-Ball Drill
Left-handed slider from an open angle; fine dial moves the pitch in and out of the zone so the hitter learns start lines and which spin to take versus swing at.
- Skill:
- pitch recognition, discipline
- Equipment:
- Bat / tee
- Duration:
- About 8 min
- Setting:
- Indoor
- Players:
- Solo
Coaching notes
Machine set for a lefty slider. Hitter must recognize pitches that start up-and-in and finish on the plate versus those that start middle and sweep off.
Objectives
Improve breaking-ball recognition and discipline; teach hitters the difference between chase spin and competitive spin.
Coaching cues
Swing the ones that start up-and-in and finish on the plate; take the ones that start middle and sweep off; stay on the plate.
Common errors
Chasing the sweeping ones; swinging at pitches that start middle; early commit on spin.
Steps
- 1. Setup Open Slider — Machine behind the hitter creating lefty slider shape.
- 2. Fine Dial Movement — Move pitch in/out of zone while hitter decides swing or take.
- 3. Progression — Increase speed and nastiness once recognition improves.
