Hitting Drills to Build Athleticism, Power & Consistent Contact

with Nicole Degenhardt
Montclair State University Head Coach;
Georgian Court University Head Coach from 2016 to 2024;
3x CACC Regular Season Champions;
2x CACC Tournament Champions;
3x CACC Coach of the Year;
College of Saint Elizabeth Head Coach from 2012 to 2015;
2015 North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Coach of the Year;
3-sport college athlete at Felician University;
2011 All-CACC honors in softball and volleyball;
2017 Felician Athletics Hall of Fame inductee

This softball coaching video is designed to help coaches develop hitters who move efficiently, generate power naturally, and stay under control at the plate. By focusing on how the body works together throughout the swing, this video provides a clear blueprint for building a consistent, athletic, and powerful hitter.

The video begins with baserunning and dynamic warm-up concepts that prepare the body for explosive movement. From there, the focus shifts into a clear hitting philosophy centered on rotation, balance, and sequencing. Coach Degenhardt leads a series of progressive drills that teach hitters how to create power from the ground up using proper hip rotation, side-to-side movement, and full-body connection.

Throughout the video, a wide variety of drills are demonstrated including hop-hop swings, shuffle-shuffle swings, crossover drills, split-grip work, stretch fire, half-bat training, and connection-based drills. Each drill has a specific purpose and helps hitters feel how athletic movement leads to better swing efficiency, timing, and consistency. These drills are designed to isolate body movements while still translating directly to game-ready swings.

Special emphasis is placed on timing and adjustability. Through self-toss series walk-throughs and three-plate progressions, Coach Degenhardt teaches hitters how to stay balanced and adjust to different pitch speeds and locations. The result is a swing that remains powerful, controlled, and adaptable in competitive situations.

This video gives coaches a practical, organized system for teaching hitters how to move better, swing more efficiently, and become more complete offensive athletes. By assembling the swing through movement-based drills, coaches will be able to build confident hitters who consistently create quality contact and drive the ball with authority.

34 minutes. 2026.