One of the basic principles nearly every hitting coach will preach is to pick up the pitch as quickly as possible out of the pitcher’s hand (i.e. the release point). Although it sounds simple in theory, it is a little more difficult to actually accomplish. Studies have shown that for a vast majority of people, the ability to hold concentration on a defined spot will last no more than a fraction of a second. Now couple that with the fact that the pitcher’s release point is only a “defined spot” for a fraction of a second. Prior to this, the release point is only an anticipated area in space. In this video we will go over a technique we call “Soft Focus – Hard Focus” that aids hitters in concentrating on the pitcher’s release point.
The basic principle of this technique is start with a broad area of concentration when the pitcher begins his motion (i.e. Soft Focus). Then, progressively narrowing down the area of concentration as the pitcher goes thru their windup. Ultimately, spot focusing their concentration on the release point (i.e. Hard Focus).
These are the following steps we use when training the hitters to go from Soft to Hard focus:
- As the pitcher is taking their signal, the hitter will be generally looking at the pitcher’s upper body, not looking at any one thing in particular.
- Then as the pitcher begins their windup, the hitter will raise their focus broadly to the chest area.
- When the pitcher turns their body, the hitter will begin narrowing the focus to the glove side arm and shoulder.
- Then as the pitcher begins to open up, the hitter will track from glove side shoulder, across the chest, to throwing shoulder.
- From the throwing shoulder, the hitter continuously narrows the focus to the arm, then the arms slot and ultimately the release point.