How to Hit a Softball

This webquest is designed to allow the softball player the opportunity to learn about the proper techniques of a softball swing.  This is geared towards individuals with skill levels ranging from beginner to intermediate.  This information is dedicated for those indivials with the desire to become better players. The information found throughout this WebQuest will help individuals with the basics of a softball swing, and help them obtain the skills that are necessary to play the game of softball.

After completing this webquest, the athlete should be able to properly identify the correct components of a softball swing. The athlete should also be able to demonstrate these techniques properly, as a checklist has been included in the Evaluation portion of the webquest.

Also, many of these links have other useful information available, as well as links to other sites that will further detail the process of hitting, and also describe other components of the game of softball. The athlete will be able to utilize this information for their benefit to improve in hitting of a softball, as well as various other areas of the game. 

Thank you for your time.  Enjoy the WebQuest of "How to Hit a Softball"!

The task involved in this WebQuest is explaining the basics mechanics of hitting to the player. When a player steps up to bat, there are many different things going on.  The hitter cannot simply stick the bat out and hope for a hit.  Instead, there is a process to follow that gives the player the best chance to hit the ball successfully.  This process involves the pre-pitch approach with a stance, and the actual mechanics of the swing.

During the pre-pitch stage of hitting, the player will be able to have the fundamentals necessary to be prepared for hitting.  This includes: the batting stance: foot placement in the box, grip on the bat, etc.

Once the pre-pitch portion of the at-bat is over, the player will become familiar with the actual swing.  This involves the movements necessary of the lower and upper halves, eye focus, hand positioning, weight distribution, contact point, and follow through.

Attached are several links describing the process of hitting a softball.  Each site has varying ideas, yet the same basic concepts are shown on each site.  Please take the time to view the information from each site to determine some of the basics of the swing.

Here are some basic steps for a beginner of how to hit a softball:

http://softball.isport.com/softball-guides/how-to-hit-a-softball

http://hross12.hubpages.com/hub/hittingmechanics

http://www.ehow.com/how_15786_hit-softball.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Hit-the-Ball-Properly-in-Softball

Here are two videos that show the basics of hitting a softball:

http://www.playsportstv.com/softball/softball-hitting_proper-grip-stance-and-swing

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMcOPJRZyRM]

[video:http://www.howcast.com/videos/459797-How-to-Hit-a-Softball-Softball-Les…]

Here is a checklist for ensuring proper grip, stance:

1. Knuckles lined up on bat
2. Even/balanced stance
3. Weight on balls of feet
4. Knees slightly bent
5. Bat resting in comfortbale position just above back shoulder
6. Body in neutral positioning to plate (not turned in or away)
7. Bat loads up and away from body
8. Weight transfers to back foot (about 60%)

Checklist during swing:

1. Smooth swing speed
2. Eyes focused on ball and contact point
3. Weight stays towards back leg
4. Shoulders stay level
5. Back hand up, front hand down at contact
6. Smooth follow through
7. Finish with proper balance (not falling any direction)

These are a few of the basics of hitting a softball.  The process of learning to become a great hitter takes time, which occurs over the course of years and hundreds of thousands of repetitions.  The best hitters are constantly working on their swing, looking for ways to fix problems, and ways to improve their strengths.  There is not one perfect example of how to hit, instead most hitters have individual stances and swings.  The one thing that most hitters have in common, however, is that once their swing starts, they all follow the same basic principles that were highlighted in this WebQuest. 

I hope that this WebQuest provides you with the basic tools that it takes to learn how to properly hit a softball.  The information provided will give you a great start with where to begin.  Keep practicing to become proficient with your swing.  Always look for others to see what they do well, and what you can borrow from them when it comes to their swing mechanics.

Thank you to the various authors of articles and videos that were used throughout this WebQuest.

I take no credit for the links that were used, and only claim to be the author of the written information on each slide of the WebQuest.