The stride for a baseball swing is every bit as important to a hitter as the leg kick is for a pitcher. The hitting stride serves two primary purposes: timing the pitcher and getting the body in a launch position. As coaches, our role is to guide players through mastering their stride, enhancing their performance at the plate. This article will explore finding the stride length, the various ways a stride can be utilized, the importance of balance, and the role of both legs in the stride.

Before we start: the stride is a complex and highly individualized component of a baseball swing. First there is no universal formula for success when it comes to stride length, for example:

1. Some players have a big leg kick (Babe Ruth)
2. Some players don’t stride (Giancarlo Stanton)
3. Some players toe tap (Vladimir Guerrero Jr)
4. Some players have a very small step (Albert Pujols)

For youth hitters – a really good gauge for distance between their feet when the stride is complete is within 3” of their bat length. The total stride length therefore would depend on how far apart a hitter’s feet are in their pre-pitch stance. Again using the same players above:

1. Ruth has a big leg kick because his feet started close together
2. Stanton has essentially no stride length because his feet are far apart
3. Junior step is average because of the toe tap
4. Pujols has a small step because his feet started so wide apart

Players should experiment with different starting positions especially if they’re off balance or there are difficulties at getting on time. In many cases with newer players, the stride is initiated too late or once the pitcher has released the ball. A better cue to load up is when the pitcher’s front knee is coming down after the leg kick. This allows for hitters to adapt to the pitcher. For example: If a pitcher is throwing a higher velocity, start the load when the leg is moving up, if the pitcher is slower, start the stride when the pitcher’s front foot touches the ground.

Understanding the key elements of the stride can help coaches guide their players toward maximizing their potential. By focusing on starting the position of the feet, the optimal stride length and observing the hitter’s balance and the results of the change (ie: is the player on time, making more contact or hitting for more power) coaches can provide comprehensive support to hitters, catering to their unique strengths and styles. Remember, the goal is not to mold every player into a singular ideal but to find the stride that best suits their abilities, current skillset and bodies.

Feeling the Stretch

Aside from creating timing with the pitcher, the stride prepares the hitter to swing by stretching out their muscles from the front foot to the back shoulder. When in a loaded position, the foot and leg should have reached out towards the pitcher, the back hip and torso are coiled, the back arm is flexed, back elbow is behind the back shoulder and the heads are near the player’s back ear. A hard concept for young hitters is to move their front foot forward while their torso and head stay relatively still or even moving slightly back. A good cue is to have the player keep their hands and head still and then have them reach with their front foot.

To help explore how to create a safe, fun engaging and movement based practice, keep looking for updates on the Coach's Clipboard or use one of the links below.

Links:

To help explore how to create a safe, fun engaging and movement based practice, keep looking for updates on the Coach's Clipboard or use one of the links below.

Links:

1. Fielding a Flyball
2. Sliding
3. Covering a Base on a Force Play
4. The Triangle Drill