Mastering the Art of Hitting

with Mary Jo Firnbach,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach;
helped lead UNC to the ACC Championship and Regional Finals in 2017;
former Texas A&M University Associate Head Coach;
2008 National Championship game appearance;
former Syracuse University Head Coach (she was the school's first coach in softball ever);
team captain as a player at Southern Illinois University in 1991

University of North Carolina's Mary Jo Firnbach provides an overview and perspective on the hitting training program utilized by the Tar Heels. She includes more than two dozen drills designed to build better hitters, shows how to use isolation techniques to help athletes improve in specific areas, and endorses the value of batting practice on the field so that players can see the flight of the ball off their bat.

Hitting Drills

Firnbach begins by showing a progression of tee work to front toss that promotes hitting from the ground up. Every drill has a purpose, and Coach Firnbach explains the "fix" that each drill offers so that you can identify swing flaws and immediately address them. This section will detail how to help your hitters build strength that translates into more base hits, enhancing your offense overall.

Isolation Techniques

Coach Firnbach uses short bats to isolate and improve the front arm and back arm for a better full swing. Bats of various weights are also incorporated to promote faster bat speed. Firnbach's training includes how to use ramps under the front or back foot of a hitter to improve balance and consistency at the plate.

On-Field Batting Practice

The flight of the ball gives instant feedback to the hitter, and Coach Firnbach makes sure to use drills that force players to hit into certain zones of the field as a great teaching technique. You'll learn how the flight of the ball can communicate the effectiveness of contact points, as well as how to make adjustments that allow players to hit to all fields. As an added bonus, Firnbach gives you competitive drills to use with your athletes to make sure they get comfortable performing under pressure.

This video from Coach Firnbach provides a solid progression of drills that will help softball players of any skill level get better. Don't miss your chance to learn from one of the game's best instructors!

76 minutes. 2019.