Hitting Drill: Roll It Back Drill (Baseball & Softball)
A connection ball drill that teaches proper hand and scapula load by rolling the ball back across the chest into launch position. Especially useful for hitters who do not get their hands back far enough or whose hands wrap around the body during the load.
How to Run This Drill
- Player needs a connection ball (an inflatable ball, approximately 9-12 inches in diameter, that can be sized to fit the player). A partially deflated volleyball or similar ball can substitute.
- Place the connection ball across the chest in the middle of the sternum. The front forearm rests loosely against the ball - it is just a spaceholder, not squeezed or clamped. Keep it super loose.
- Set up in normal batting stance.
- As you begin the load and move forward into the stride, roll the connection ball back across the chest toward the catcher side. Think: the ball rolls back as the hands load back.
- Simultaneously, get into the hip coil as you move forward. The lower body loads forward while the ball (and hands) roll back - this opposite movement creates separation and tension.
- Key checkpoint: keep the bottom hand visible to the pitcher throughout the drill. If the hands wrap around the body and disappear, the load is going the wrong direction.
- At launch position you should feel: a strong load in the back scapula from rolling the ball back, and a stretch across the front side (front lat). The connection ball stays connected to the chest throughout.
- From launch position, make your swing. The ball should stay in place naturally if the load and swing mechanics are correct.
- The connection ball can be sized up (more inflated) or down (less inflated) to fit different players - smaller for youth, larger for bigger players.
Coaching Points
- The connection ball is a spaceholder only - the front forearm is loose against it, not squeezing it down.
- Roll the ball back toward the catcher as you load. Hands go back, not around the body.
- Keep the bottom hand visible to the pitcher throughout. If it disappears behind the body, the hands wrapped.
- This drill is great for hitters who do not get their hands back far enough or who bury their hands behind their body in the load.
- Feel the back scap load and front-side stretch at launch position - the ball rolling back creates those sensations naturally.
Quick Actions
At a Glance
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