Baseball Hitting Philosophy

Rhythm is part 1 of the baseball swing.  It provides the relaxed readiness that is essential to a well-timed swing.  Good rhythm allows for quick reactions that will have you making contact with the baseball more often.
Rhythm
(The baseball swing, Stage 1)
In every sport, before a quick action, relaxation and rhythm precedes your explosive move.
Example: When a tennis player is returning a serve, or a basketball player is defending in a one on one situation, each defender is relaxed and waiting to explode.
In other words, it’s is the movement that helps keep the hitter on his toes and ready, but loose and not rigid or tense.
Why rhythm is important:  This idea is the same for hitting. Once you get into your stance, the slight movement in your hands and legs will help to keep you relaxed and under control. This helps us not get too stiff or mechanical when we start our swing.
The bottom line is…
You are quicker and more in control of your body if you have rhythm and are relaxed.
This means better bat speed, and better reactions and adjustments in the split seconds you have before contact.

The load provides the coiled tension that is essential to an explosive, powerful baseball swing.

Load – stage 2 of the baseball swing.  The load is the energy behind an explosive and powerful swing. Image by Ed Wolfstein
What is the “load” of a baseball swing?” In baseball batting, the load is where we gather our momentum to our backside to prepare for an explosive swing.
It’s like a snake coiling to strike, or pulling back the string of a bow and arrow.
Why is the load important?  Use it as a timing device and a continuation of your rhythm.  Getting your weight back helps you wait to explode on the ball.
No matter if you load with a leg kick, a toe tap, normal stride, or no striding and just picking up the heel, you have to make a move back before you can go forward.  This small move helps to make your next move (weight shift) rhythmic and not jumpy or fast....