The Next Great Outside Hitter

Melrose benefited from numerous power hitters through the years from recent to past - Gia Vlajkovic, Elena Soukos, Emma Randolph, Sarah McGowan, Hannah Brickley, Laura Irwin, Karen Sen. Who will become their successor? 

Hitting requires coordination, timing, and the ability to engage multiple parts (legs-run up, arm swing, and core) to generate force and increased velocity.  

Practice integrating all of the above to generate more force. 

Why does it matter? Think about another equation, the simple velocity equation. 

Velocity is distance divided by time. Rearranging, reaction time equals distance divided by velocity. Hit harder and shorten the defender's reaction time. 

As a reference, 60 miles/hour = 88 feet per second, 40 miles/hr ~ 59 feet/second. More velocity over a fixed distance equals shortened reaction time.  

Here's a drill to work on different outside hitting swings.

Remember to synthesize the 'core 4' of skill, strategy, physicality, and psychology. 

A look back at Elena... first in normal speed. 

Now, I encourage you to watch at 0.25 speed, starting at about 21:14 of the video looking at the pre-positioning, run up, vertical jump with the arms initially back, and how she rotates her core to generate force.