In order to avoid hitting fly balls during this drill, exaggerate hitting down on the ball with your bottom hand. Drive the knob of the bat down to the ball, which creates the proper path for the bat head (figs. 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, and 2-6). After you hit the ball, your body weight should follow the flight of the ball (fig. 2-7). If you consistently hit the ball in the air this means that you are letting the elbow of your bottom hand ride up-the dreaded "chicken wing" (fig. 2-8).

2-3. Stride just as you would stride back at the pitcher. Your stride should be in the same place regardless of the location of the pitch.

2-4. Drive the knob of the bat down toward the ball, creating a level swing.

2-5 and 2-6. Drive your hands down and through the ball with a smooth weight transfer.

2-7. Your weight should continue toward the flight of the ball. In this case, you should hit the ball toward right or right-center with your weight following in that direction.

2-8. A poor path with the bottom arm (elbow riding upward)-the "chicken wing."

When you hit off a batting tee, remember to stride exactly as you would if you were hitting against a pitcher. Your stride should never vary for any reason. Since the ball is only halfway to the plate when the stride foot lands, the batter must begin his stride before he knows if the pitch is in or out, relying on only his hands and hips to make the necessary adjustments to the pitch.

Depending on your age, you should start with 25 swings and work up to 50-60 swings. When you get tired, bored, or both, the drill will start to become counterproductive. Remember-25 mechanically correct swings are better than 500 done poorly. You are working hard to lock in good habits-not create bad ones.

If you hit at a batting range, stay away from the machines that throw too hard. A slower machine makes you wait on the ball and allows you to develop a good swing and work on your mechanics. Tony Gwynn and our other hitting instructors recommend hitting on a machine that throws no more than 60 miles per hour. Keep your machine workouts structured, with a definite purpose in mind.