Cut Swing 101: Learn how to cut the ball w/ a USSSA Conference Pro | ASA / USSSA Slowpitch Softball

[@davidoconnell933]

New subscriber here. I'm 57 and play Senior ball. Definitely all about Suncoast, swing a Senior & USSSA Suncoast. Always been kind of stubborn about changing my swing but after watching this I am definitely going to learn the cut swing. Also have some friends out of Colorado who cut swings and they absolutely crush the ball. Rehabbing a rotator cuff surgery right now but plan to start swinging in January. Going to work on the cut swing in January. Putting together a new 55+ out of Texas and cant wait to unleash the cut swing. 1st tourny in March. Appreciate yalls insight, great video and Thanks for what you do!

[@MNII24]

As a smaller guy going through a lot of swings, once I learned to cut the ball I got respect from outfielders playing me in and could split gaps and use my speed. It’s tough but good to have in the bag

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

It's mega useful. I'm a little obsessed with getting it down pat right now. Hopefully can start to work it into game scenerios soon. Thanks for watching!

[@JoshAlexanderFarrell]

It also helps having an easy/ smooth swing. Not trying to kill the ball.

[@jackcarlos]

Should you always cut swing (if you can)?

[@18raya]

Just the explanation of where to stand in the box makes PERFECT sense. Awesome cant wait to practice this

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

This helped us out a lot as well. Really glad we had an expert give his advice and glad we got to share it with you all.

[@kechumgreen8893]

Trying to hit frozen ropes to the right center field fence (batting right handed) was my go to home run swing. It worked and that is all that mattered. Practice with a purpose. When you see the ball coming in, you shouldn't be surprised where it goes after you hit it.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

That's a great strategy. We absolutely agree that you should practice with purpose and know what you are trying to do. Glad you like the video!

[@Bigwignj]

Could I suggest that you Start your hands lower to cut the ball. Some of the conference guys have their hands at their hips to start their swings. Your hands are really high, like baseball. You don’t have to drop your hands all the way to your hips but find a happy medium. It sounds weird because your swinging down on the ball. You don’t need to come down as far, it’s easier to get the barrel to the ball to create that spin imo. What do I know. I’m not a conference player but I’m 5’6 175 lbs but hit balls 350-375 on the regular. Have a few rings in D and C to show for it. Just my 2 cents. Take it or leave it.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Hey great advice! We are always interested in any strategy that can improve our game.

[@kylemc8851]

Nice to see a vid from "regular" hitters, solid work fellas!

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Thanks! We figured if we record us learning these skills it could help others learn too!

[@RamboTheCEO]

Brandon is a cool guy. I play senior ball and have power with quick hands. Personally I find the aiming point 95% of the task. Like as the ball is pitched towards try to visually stare at the CENTER of the ball. Like make a imaginary line. Hit the center to TOP HALF of the ball. That cuts the ball without doing anything else. I don't throw hands or anything. I just try to hit the center of the ball and mash. Goodluck

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Brandon is a great dude and a fantastic ambassador for the game. Genuinely loves to play, ump, and teach others.

[@mikouhuru6598]

I started cut swinging this season for the first time in during this spring season. My batting average shot up to at least .750 from last summers less than .500. I just started playing softball in a league after playing little league baseball.

[@Darthtraveler]

I started playing competitive slow pitch after playing college ball in 98 and I didn't change my swing. Back then in baseball they taught us to "chop wood" not lift like they do now so I started with the cut swing. 24 years later I have the same swing and still going strong. One thing I think is that the cut swing is easier on bats. I hit the ball as hard if not harder than most and I have only cracked one bat in 24 years. I've always felt that hitting top half of the ball instead of coming up and through the ball is easier on the bats.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Glad to hear you learned it at an early age. Having to learn it now after decades of Softball/Baseball is a bit tougher but will be a great addition to my skill set. Thanks for watching!

[@Darthtraveler]

Good stuff and like the focus of your channel. Let me know if you want to break down some senior bats and swings.

[@zachfitzgerald883]

I just want to say that I have averaged 1 HR per season for the last idk how many years. Last night I hit 3, and we don't have a fence. I changed my swing and it made a huge difference

[@sethturner4580]

Just put these instructions to work at practice tonight and was finally able to hit the ball hard and keep it low! I burned the outfielders several times because the ball just carried forever from the back spin. I can’t wait to try it in a game this weekend! It still feels weird being so far forward when making contact but it definitely worked.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Glad to hear it's working for you! Keep practicing it and make it automatic!

[@boredtrophyhusband]

Badass bat, saw someone crush two line drive home runs with it this year. Cracks so loud. Might have to snag one for summer season.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

We are getting one as well. Keep an eye out of the channel for a more in depth review.

[@AverageDudesSlowpitch]

Time to take this to the tee! Awesome footage.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I've been working in this off the tee myself. Decent results so far!

[@jpemydura4860]

Good video and instructions. Nice turf field too ! We need turf fields where i live.

[@bigdogtim7998]

Really good video and a level swing with that downward movement definitely creates the ‘Top Spin Heat’ who is probably the only way I’ve hit my Home Runs. We had a player with an extreme chop and he simply couldn’t hit a softball 🥎 over the fence, but he would pepper the fence with the line drives he hit.

[@joshuavanderkin1510]

Keep it up guys !! I’ve been looking for a channel like this that gos into depth about this kind of stuff about softball!! Super helpful!! Thank you!! You should make a video about how to get out of swinging ruts if your not doing to well!

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Thanks for watching! We have an ever growing list of video ideas. We'll put that one on there!

[@AustronesianMullet]

Excellent content! I somewhat got the cut swing down around early 2020 and lost it during the pandemic. Hope to get it back again to surprise a few outfielders.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

A little practice goes a long way. For me I just have to keep refreshing the skills in practice so they are ready to use at game time.

[@dabig25]

Liking my Suncoast so far. I might pick up a balanced version next

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I (Cam) have a Suncoast on the way thanks to Mr. Traylor.

[@reverendbebop8798]

Just to preface, I’ve only been playing ASA for a few years with no baseball experience. Also, I am only 5’6. The ball comes at me higher than most batters due to my height (or lack thereof) so I’ve learned to always have a tomahawk swing because no matter where I stand in the box the ball comes in high to me. Can you guys explain where the ball should be in relation to shoulders (I’m guessing) as we swing? That way I can understand where to stand in the box relative to where the pitcher is landing the ball. Also, I love these videos. The pitching one is something I’m going to be practicing for the next several months. Great content.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

We would always recommend standing as far forward in the box as you can and still get the pitches at the appropriate height. For slowpitch, I feel like chest high is probably optimal but up to shoulder and down to waist are manageable heights for still being able to hit the ball hard. If you can convert that tomahawk to a "cut" swing, you'll be in business!

[@josephrandal4720]

AMAZING CONTENT as always guys! Absolutely love the advice and will be applying it to my game. Question: I noticed that the majority of Brandon’s hits were pull side. And I also noted that Brandon talked a lot about hitting the ball well in front of the plate to be able to drive through it. However, my question is, is there a different approach to cut swing for an opposite field hit? And does he have any other tips/mental cues for the cut swing up the middle/oppo approach?

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

His swings being almost all pull side in this video, is my fault. Those just happened to be the swings I used over the audio. I assure you he can cut the ball very well backside. He actually prefers his backside cut swing over his pull side. For cutting to the opposite side, he still tries to meet the ball out in front of his body but because he is pushing towards left field the ball travels a little bit further back before he strikes it. I think the same cues apply to cutting in any direction. Stay tall, stay over the ball, and make sure to hit it out in front of your body. If you want to see some great example of him cutting to all fields check out our last video with him walking us through his BP session. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXnRd4uGbL6kobs

[@bodydesignbyrachel]

So I'm a girl trying to get this swing down. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Let us know how it’s going. If you find anything that’s helping, share your tips!

[@ryand34561]

At 6'5" I like to stand forward in the box and my teammates are always telling me to move back more, but then I end up having to reach to get down to pitches that hit the front of the plate and end up popping them up... Sometimes I end up swinging at a higher pitch like the ones at 7:00 and I tend to hit those really well but I didn't know why.. I thought I was just better at lining up my swing path with a ball that was closer to my chest\shoulders due to the ball being near my eye level... I guess I was just accidentally cutting the ball lol.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I used to line up way back in the box as well. Old baseball habit. I have found the more and more forward I get in the box the better I hit.

[@BatFlipBP]

I need to make Kyle watch this one! great job!

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I've seen your swing and I feel like you could probably teach him. You've got a great cut to your swing! But, by all means, encourage him to watch haha!

[@BatFlipBP]

@@LeagueNightSoftball oh I've tried... LOL!

[@aaronrogers8946]

Great video. Do you overlap your hands for the cut swing?

[@dbcrypto4065]

is it just me or did every pitch seem like it wasn't going to make it to the plate...especially not behind it, to the strike zone? I would think being the far in front when pitches have to actually reach behind the plate would be really high to swing at?

[@bryanwinston869]

Do you add the snapping of the wrist when you cut the ball?

[@tommysea9000]

How do you prevent end capping the ball with that full extension Brandon talks about? I feel like sometimes this works for me but other times I just end cap things.

[@calebbrown918]

So the ball travels further when you cut the ball?

[@luchianocorujo1319]

If you cut it right with backspin yes

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Hey Monto! The cut allows you to hit the ball hard while keeping it low to the ground. There is a great amount of backspin on the ball, so it will travel, but the goal is to place the ball low and hard to the target. Having this swing down will make you extremely hard to get out

[@ChevyRedneckGFX]

@@LeagueNightSoftball cutting is both for the best line drive placements and also the farthest homeruns

[@joeyarispe1755]

Do you recommend a lighter bat for the cut swing

[@Gbyrd99]

What's a flexibat is it better for cut swing?

[@reel8453]

Good video, gonna try and make the adjustments. I’m way back and on the plate and wondering why I can’t cut at all. Or when I do generate backspin it’s a lazy fly.

[@user-ww2iu1ji7f]

Hey, where do you guys live? Do you teach how to cut in person ?

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

We are in the San Francisco Bay Area and yes, we definitely offer in person lessons.

[@terrancemclean3292]

Have a question if you swing a lighter bat does make your hands Quicker

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Not always but a lot of the time this is true. However, you have to balance hand speed, extra weight, and handle flexibility. They all have a role to play in hitting the ball hard. Everyone has to find the best combo for themselves.

[@terrancemclean3292]

Thank you so much for the advice I’m definitely going to try some different things in bp and keep make awesome videos

[@danielvalencia7646]

Whats your advice for someone who is 5'5''. Still stand up in the box?

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Hi Daniel, thanks for the question. Yes, we still recommend standing up in the box. Though your strike zone might be slightly lower than someone taller than you, the ball must cross the "strike zone" in the same area of your body. That being the case, you still want to try and catch the ball above your waist and standing up in the box should help with that. You may try stepping up a few inches in batting practice and experimenting until you find the perfect place in the box. You can always adjust depending on the umpire and the pitcher's depth, but in general, standing further forward in the box has proven to be more successful! Let us know where you end up and what feels better/worse about it.

[@samanthaedwards6891]

What’s a good weight and length for slow pitch?

[@MrViciousmuzik1]

That’s my boi ayyyyye 🤙🏾

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Aaaaaayyyyye!

[@keithbaker944]

In the league Im in they say I cant put my front f oot out of the box. Coukd this swing still be done?

[@jonathanreinersmann5090]

Played baseball for 12 years. Smaller guy. I know I got power to hit dingers but always seem to hit the warning track. Any tips?

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

For me, when I stopped trying to swing really hard and focused on technique, that when my power started showing up. I would recommend working on loose wrists so that you can maximize the "whip" at the end of the swing. We hope to do some videos about this soon!

[@johnharrison3086]

Any tips for cut swing in USA? As you can’t step out of the box so you can’t be as far forward in the box.

[@ayo4325]

So should bigger guys do the cut swing?

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I think everyone should know how to do it and use it as needed. I would argue the bigger and stronger you are the more important it is. Because HRs are almost always limited in softball, the cut swing allows stronger hitters to still use thier power but reduce the risk of hitting an HR when they don't want to. This is just one example but it's useful in a ton of different situations.

[@ayo4325]

Very true!!! I am about to buy a new bat and saw this video for the ruckus as well as the geny. But since Genys are up to 800 bucks online, I think I will do a ruckus 😉

[@KINGKONG7630]

What weight bat did Brandon use,he said 12 inch barrel but not the weight.

[@Gbyrd99]

Whatever you're comfortable with.

[@tonyzam66]

I have kind of a dumb question. I play in a league that only allows single wall aluminum bats. How well will the cut swing work for those types of bats?

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Good question. Its definitely a usable strategy as long as you have proper expectations. Likely not going to get those line drives off the wall but really great for line drives in the gap.

[@tonyzam66]

@@LeagueNightSoftball Awesome. I'm a lead off hitter who likes to hit lime drives so that's right up my alley. FYI I do swing a Demarini Steel.

[@klubberlang6035]

@League Night Softball i been looking for a Suncoast 12” Endload 26 oz for quite sometime, and I don’t have social media think you guys can help me out, I am from Canada btw

[@freshxiv2068]

Is it better to stand more up in the box? And is it more effective to hitting as well? I stand back and I always get over/under it ALOT

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I find that the further up in the box I position myself the more success I have. Standing too far back in the box can often result in reaching for shorter pitches which almost always ends up as an easy pop out. Everyone has to figure out what works for them but I would definitely encourage you to experiment with moving forward in the batter's box.

[@freshxiv2068]

@@LeagueNightSoftball I’m definitely going to try and move in the box tonight in my mens league!

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Let us know how it works out for you!

[@freshxiv2068]

@@LeagueNightSoftball It definitely worked a lot better than when I was back in the box!

[@luchianocorujo1319]

Hell ya!! My swing

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Thanks for watching Luchiano! Any tips you have for players trying to learn how to cut the ball?

[@luchianocorujo1319]

Ya man. All I focus on is lining up my knocker knuckles and taking the knob to the ball.

[@ayo4325]

Update: after months having weekly bp inside with a slow pitch machine, my first four games were ass. Angles were vastly different live pitch. I was disappointed. So should I stop with the BP machine? The weather here is iffy at best so live sessions aren’t happening either. It’s frustrating…HELP!

[@nickcavolli3072]

How do you become a Utrip UMP. Im so lost online.

[@nickcavolli3072]

@@jrey6186 lol. You would be shocked at how both hard it was, yet how quickly i was umping. I ended up emailing the national umpire director since i didnt know what region i was. Within hours i was on the phone with the regional Utrip director. “Training” next day, umping the very next week. I lasted 1 season. Between Utrip/ASA. Lost money.

[@kyyva4533]

Where can I get one at a nice discount haha

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Check out Traylor's social media in the description of the video. That's a good place to start!

[@lou2408]

Some batters will tell you to stay close and tight while others will tell you to extend out. Some will tell you that you can't have a conventional baseball swing while others say its ok. I just started playing slow pitch softball and I've come to the realization that I just need to find what works for me and stick with it.

[@dustymarc711]

trust your swing bud

[@Knordsman]

Cut swing video!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Hey Erik! We finally found a great person to teach us some things about how to execute a good cut swing. We know you have been looking forward to this one!

[@pepepepert]

Not sure where he learned no box in utrip. There certainly is. Also if either foot is on the ground outside the box on contact it is an out.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Brandon is actually a USSSA umpire for a ton of tournaments and knows the rules inside and out. I've, personally, never read the rule, but, I trust him on this one. If you can find the rule in question, please send us a link. We are always interested in learning more and more about the game. Thanks for watching!

[@pepepepert]

@@LeagueNightSoftball RULE l PLAYING FIELD Sec. 5 page 8: Further, the following batter’s box guidelines will be used: the batter must set up with his back foot no further forward than home plate. Any forward stride will be allowed. The batter will be called out, when either one or both of his feet are in contact with the ground COMPLETELY outside the lines of the batter’s box in front of home plate or when his foot is in contact with home plate while contact is made with the ball. Any batter, who runs forward through the batter’s box to hit a ball will be judged in or out of the box at the time they contact the ball. (SEE: ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL Rule 3 page 20) RULE 2. EQUIPMENT Sec. 3 B2 Ptretty simple ruling. I've also ump'd for a while.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I think what Brandon is saying is there isn't a traditional batter's box like in MLB. The parameters of the batter's box are really only the line guiding the distance you are away from the plate laterally, but there isn't a "line" in front of the plate. If your back foot was in line with the front edge of home plate, you could line your front-foot up as far forward as you please. There isn't a restricting line in front of home plate to stop you. I don't think we have played in a tournament this year where there has been a line in front of the plate between the mound and home plate.

[@helgie5276]

@@pepepepert had a guy called out 2 times last week for this exact rule. Front foot wad completely out of box when contact was made. Asa league though.

[@gerardschmenk6264]

FYI. Rules are made to be broken. This rule has been around for years. Most umpires won’t call it. Why?! I have no f-ing idea! If umps don’t call it, free game.

[@坂田賢一-x3y]

Looks very different from the swing that Ken Van Bogaert teaches He is always teaching hitters to stay back and don’t lunge forward in his swing makeover videos

[@donalda8017]

Watch where they finish ...complete your swing

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Are you saying we need to finish the swing or we are finishing the swings?

[@donalda8017]

@@LeagueNightSoftball Look how Traylor completes the circle of his swing ....your cutting yours off ......like a boxer that gains power hitting thru the target not just to connection

[@jacobmiller7731]

Make a video called cut swing 101 and don't even describe what a cut swing is.... hmm

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

Sorry for overlooking the fact that many players may not know what it is. For those of you that don't know, the cut swing is a strategy of hitting where the batter attempts to "cut" at a slightly downward angle towards the ball. The desired result is a hit with a great amount of backspin which helps the ball carry much farther. This is similar to the way a 4 seam fastball travels. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@straighttimestirrups]

I was thinking this would get mentioned a few times in the comments.

[@matthollander6539]

Brandon sounds a lot like Ice Cube.

[@BassBully]

Wth is with the overlayed audio for the second half. Confusing vid to watch

[@MrAtownDown1]

It’s funny because this goes against every piece of advice I’ve ever heard

[@dustymarc711]

Exactly it’s a different game

[@brianriggin4560]

Let's not forget what part of the swing the bat plays. Mostly all of it. Bats makes average hitters look like monsters. It's a joke. Buying distance and a batting average. Take away the money bats and find out who really has ability and who doesn't.

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I fully disagree. Some bats ARE a bit hotter than others but we are talking about adding 100 feet to a swing. We might be looking at adding an extra 20 feet or so. Pretty much every new bat costs ~$300 anyway. If every bat is around the same price, then how is money buying power and average. Am I missing something? Please explain.

[@brianriggin4560]

@@LeagueNightSoftball to add distance you must add ball speed or backspin which creates flight time. What little or more the bat creates, that in turn lessons reaction time. Making a squeaker that gets by the infielder, or just enough to shoot the gap outta reach or get over the head of an outfielder. And as I a pitcher, those middle shots become uncatchable do to reaction time. So yes, you buy hits, and distance. Be it 20 feet, but usually its always more. Bats from 1990 when I started playing till now aren't even close. No one would ever pick up an old Blur-ple TPS, or even a TPS Lighthouse C405 now. I'm old enough to remember watching guys in the 70's 80's and playing in the 90s. From the late 2000s till now is a major difference. Ever since Miken Ultra and the Freak era, it's a buy to hit game. So dont give me the bats don't really matter garbage. I've been playing since 1990. Everyone has HR power now and its not the players, it's the bats. Add rolled and shaved bats to the mix, it's a joke. Disagree all you want, some of those hits from hot bats become outs with normal bats. It's a fact, nobody was swinging a cheap bat. Why, because you want that extra. Put an average Prius driver in a Ferrari, they automatically becomes faster. Not because of the person's ability, but because of the car.

[@joerapo]

Umm no the bats benefit everyone. They definitely don't even the playing field. My best hitting year easily was after using a Corndog(wood barrel softball bat) for batting practice all that off-season and year. Then when I would use my Miken in a game it was like swinging a tennis racquet. If you can hit a softball(not designed for woodbats) 300' you'll absolutely crush with a composite.

[@brianmad19]

Extension??? Seems like casting. When i extend i hit the ball on the neck of the bat....grounders...outs. ill give it a try

[@LeagueNightSoftball]

I have not seen you swing so take this with a grain of salt but if you are hitting the neck of the bat when extending, I would guess you are set up a little too close to the plate. I find that standing off the plate a bit gives me a much better position to create power as well as be able to cover the whole plate.

[@JoshAlexanderFarrell]

Bro is too tense! 😬 Look how 🚊 is loosely goosey!