Outline & Summary of Week 3 Hitting Program

1. Key Focus: Plate Coverage

• Definition: Ability to cover the entire plate with the barrel, including the outer edge.

• Spacing: Proper setup in the box every swing; spacing is critical for young hitters.

• Drills:

  • Combination of inside and outside tee work.

  • For advanced players: pair outside front toss with inside tee, or inside front toss with outside tee.

• Goals:

  • Consistent line drives from all tee placements before moving to combination work.

  • Stay balanced, avoid lunging or leaning during the swing.

MLB Plate Coverage Examples:

• Close to Plate: Justin Turner, Anthony Rizzo

• Far from Plate: Jose Martinez

Instructional Video Links:

• Justin Turner

• Anthony Rizzo

• Jose Martinez

• Additional Coverage Example

2. Weekly Preparation

• Players must watch plate coverage video before hitting session.

3. Week 3 Practice Itinerary

• Format: 5 stations, 10 minutes each + 1 final group station (10 minutes).

Stations:

• Group A – Big Cage: Batting practice rounds + angle toss with machine.

• Group B – Cage 4 Drill Work: Outside/inside tee work with front toss.

• Group C – Cage 3 Power Development: Heavy balls, heavy bat, punching bag or tire work.

• Group D – Cage 2 Velo Station: Middle, inside, and away tee work; max-out swings.

• Group E – Cage 1 Core Strength: Prone cone switch (4 x 8, alternating sides).

4. Equipment / Setup Notes

• Hack Attack machine, L-screens, two buckets of baseballs.

• Tees for inside/outside placement.

• Heavy balls, heavy bat, punching bag/tire.

• Medicine balls and cones for core drills.

Overall Focus of Week 3

• Teach hitters how to cover the full plate effectively.

• Emphasize proper stance and spacing for consistent results.

• Use MLB examples to demonstrate different approaches to plate coverage.

• Blend mechanical discipline with situational and strength-based drills.