I usually write articles about  mental skills, but  this one is about a physical mechanic within the baseball or softball swing. The reality is that physical and mental mechanics are both important, and they are codependent.  A change to one effects the other. Often, athletes and coaches focus on a mechanical adjustment when it is the mental  skill (trying to do too much, for example) that caused the physical mechanic to break down.  At  the same time, if athletes are to successfully coach themselves, they must be knowledgeable about what they are trying to do, physically.

Hitting comes in many styles and variations.  However, there is a striking similarity within the swing. Almost all great hitters get into a remarkably similar "launch" or "ready" position. This is not the stance. Rather, it is the position of the body when the front foot finishes striding (usually forward)., and the hands are  loaded back, ready to come forward. 

Here are some keys to look for:

• Hands up, top hand approximately even with the cheekbone.
• Hands back, typically above or just inside the back foot.
• Knob of the bat points towards the catcher's feet.
• Front shoulder below the back shoulder, typically around 10 degree downward slope, but not more than 12 degrees.
• Front foot lands at 45 degree angle
• Inside eye is halfway between the two feet.
• Balanced with weight 50/50 between the two feet, though sometimes a bit more weight is back.
• Inward coil with the upper body.
• Hips square to the plate.
• Knees are bent equally and positioned inside the toes.
• There is a bend forward at the hip.

But really,  a photo (or 55) is worth a thousand words...

A nod here to the great Don Slaught:

Post below:

Who is your favorite hitter pictured? Do you have a different favorite not pictured? Post or send a picture of him or her at launch!  What is the toughest thing about this to teach for you (please include age of hitter you are coaching)?