Short Game Drag, Slap and bunt teaching cues

Drag Bunt/bunt Keep hands separated Keep hands separated Hands out in front Hands out in front have hands at an angle/project the bal down have hands at an angle/project the bal down Feet separated and balanced Feet separated and balanced

Running Slap Stance Stance Footwork Footwork Hands Hands Timing Timing Types of slaps Types of slaps

Stance You always want to start the same if you are a slapper You always want to start the same if you are a slapper **start how you would start if you hit away…then choke up **start how you would start if you hit away…then choke up Legs shoulder length apart Legs shoulder length apart Upside down V Upside down V

Footwork Just 2 steps, then continuous steps that follow Just 2 steps, then continuous steps that follow 1 step, don’t go past center line 1 step, don’t go past center line 2 step, step towards plate 2 step, step towards plate *don’t step towards pitcher Travel on a straight line towards a pitcher Travel on a straight line towards a pitcher Keep your hips and toes aligned with short stop/left field position Keep your hips and toes aligned with short stop/left field position Want to go out as hard as you can while staying in control Want to go out as hard as you can while staying in control

Hands Choke up for more bat control Choke up for more bat control choke up on bat on your first step choke up on bat on your first step  Always try to keep your hands above ball to use the ground Keep your hands inside ball to create good bat angle Keep your hands inside ball to create good bat angle *bat parallel to where you want to make contact Already moving towards the ball you don’t need a big swing Already moving towards the ball you don’t need a big swing

Timing Start on a pitchers descend Start on a pitchers descend Want to start as late as possible, because want to hit to the left side Want to start as late as possible, because want to hit to the left side *want to hit the ball off of your left hip Time it so that you are making contact on your second step (left foot touching the ground) Time it so that you are making contact on your second step (left foot touching the ground)

Types of Slaps Soft slap Soft slap Hard to get by corners, soft for middles to charge Hard to get by corners, soft for middles to charge Hard slap Hard slap When infield is paying in….look for alleys When infield is paying in….look for alleys Chop Chop When ground is hard When ground is hard *keep the defense on their toes Fake bunt/slap Fake bunt/slap Fake bunt/slap/bunt Fake bunt/slap/bunt