When playing softball, hitting a pop up can be disappointing. Fortunately, there are ways you can adjust your swing to avoid pop-ups. When you make contact with the ball, you want to time it right and hit the right part of the ball.
Another reason you could be popping up in softball is that you are not following through with your swing, which also means you are not giving your full power in your hits. Popping up in softball can also be caused by a too-low grip on the bat.
The 5 reasons I Found that Keep many players Popping Up in Softball are:
- You are hitting the wrong part of the ball
- Your timing is off
- You are not following through
- You are gripping too low on the bat
- Your stance is weak or tense
The best way to avoid hitting pop-ups during softball is to practice hitting. This way, you can learn for yourself what works and what doesn’t. This article gives pointers on how to stop popping up in softball and how to adjust your swing to hit more line drives.
Reasons you may be popping up
1) You are hitting the wrong part of the ball
When your swing makes contact with the ball, it must hit the right part of the ball. You should be hitting the ball squarely, not at the top or bottom. This is the most likely cause of pop ups.
Hitters who pop up often hit the bottom part of the ball rather than the center. Remember that the lower your contact with the ball, the higher your pop up will be.
To hit the ball squarely, keep your eye on the exact spot on the ball you want to make contact with and use a slight uppercut in your swing to hit the ball.
2) Your timing is off
Timing is also crucial in hitting. If you are swinging too early or too late, you may find yourself frequently hitting pop ups. This is because the ball is not hitting the right part of your bat. You want to hit the ball on the thick part of the barrel.
3) You are not following through
To get the most power in your hits, you must follow through on your swing. Following through can help you hit the ball further, so it doesn’t “hang” in the air waiting to get caught. Try to get into the mindset of hitting “through” the ball.
4) You are gripping too low on the bat
Your grip may be the reason you are frequently popping up. Choking up on the bat gives you more control over your swing. When you have more control, you can more easily hit the ball squarely in the sweet spot of the bat.
You may find that simply adjusting your swing can help reduce pop ups. You want to hit the ball on the thick part of the barrel on your bat, and you want to hit the ball squarely in the centre. If you have too low of a grip on the bat, it is harder to make square contact with the ball.
You also don’t want to grip too high on the bat. Gripping too high gives you less control over your swing and robs your hit of power. If you think your grip on the bat might be the reason you are hitting pop ups, practice at the batting cages or with a friend and adjust your grip until you find the spot you have the most control.
5) Your stance is weak or tense
When it comes to hitting, you want a solid stance to get the most power and control over your swings. The best way to stand is with your feet shoulder-width apart. You don’t want to tense up. It is better to relax and use your strength to hit the ball.
If you are tensed up, you will waste energy and power before the swing. This takes power away from your hit if you make contact. Also, before you hit the ball, your back should be perfectly in line with your legs; you shouldn’t be leaning forward or backward.
You also want to stand no more than a foot away from the plate, otherwise you will force yourself to extend your swing and hit the ball on the wrong part of the bat. Similarly, you don’t want to stand too close. Aim for 6-12 inches away from the plate.
The best way to avoid pop ups during a game of softball is to practice beforehand. Head to the batting cages to practice hitting the ball squarely. You can use this time to adjust your stance and swing to get the most power and control.
You can also record yourself hitting so that you can see your stance and swing for yourself. This can give you some insight into why you keep hitting pop ups.
If you are still having trouble with pop ups or fly balls, ask a friend or coach for help. They can give you pointers on your swing so that you can hit fewer pop ups.
