Hitting: Top-bottom drill

Have hitters who struggle to track the ball from release to contact? In this drill, Lauren Gibson shares a simple yet effective technique to improve visual tracking and timing—helping players sharpen their focus and build consistency at the plate.

Purpose: To practice tracking the ball from release point to contact.

How it works: Using a skinny trainer bat, the hitter sets up in front of a net. The coach tosses two small whiffle balls into the air at the same time, calling out either “top” or “bottom” to indicate which ball to hit. The player must drive the correct ball into the net, maintaining visual focus through the swing and follow-through. During the drill, the coach evaluates key mechanics such as head position, hand placement, shoulder alignment, body posture, bat angle, and contact point.

Variation: Perform the drill using a standard bat.

Equipment needed: One player, a skinny trainer bat, hitting net, small yellow whiffle balls, a coach and a field