How To Load Lower Body In The Softball Swing [Softball Hitting Mechanics]

How To Load Lower Body In The Softball Swing [Softball Hitting Mechanics]
Antonelli Softball is the #1 online resource for softball instruction. We breakdown the mechanical aspects of hitting, fielding, throwing, and base running to make them easy to understand and actionable. We also cover the mental side of softball and offer college softball recruiting advice. We delve into the details that you will not find anywhere else.
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[@antonellisoftball]

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[@rcieszkowski]

Matt, your ability to break down these concepts into something meaningful and actionable is unmatched in my opinion. Your channel has been such an amazing resource to this coach during this overly long offseason. I’ve been applying some of your simple fixes with my 14yo daughter and the difference in her swing (at least on the tee) is night and day. Mechanically she is better and the sound of the ball off the barrel is more explosive. Even my wife (who knows nothing of this) remarked the other day that her hitting “sounds different”. Whether or not that translates to live game-speed pitching remains to be seen but I am hopeful. Thank you sir.

[@antonellisoftball]

rcieszkowski thanks so much! Good luck to your daughter!

[@tsmiles_]

As a former “I played for like 2 yrs” momma to a now 9yr old with way more interest and aptitude than I ever had... thank you for these videos. It really helps her to *see* these concepts in action and me to explain why the mechanics make a difference in a way she understands.

[@b..e..ll.a5992]

My coach wanted me to watch this and I actually found it pretty helpful. I’m one of the power hitters on my team. I think this is going to help me with my loading and the power in my back leg.

[@bradr4184]

You deserve more subscribers

[@Preslie2026]

I was wondering could you create a video about bad mechanics? Showing something that shouldn’t be done according to what you think is the way a swing should be? I think that would be very informative too.

[@mari88334]

Hi, just wanted to thx u, for ur videos. They are a GREAT help! I have improved my distance because of proper loading. You break down very simple and easy. 🙏 Thanks again.

[@just.do.something]

As a fellow "LOAD" Dad, I thank you for this video!

[@lucleblanc7550]

Stumbled upon this gem. As a former baseball player now a softball hitting coach I truly appreciate how you present the mechanics. Subscribed!

[@AubreePeak33]

Good video and explanation!

[@MidwesTaiter]

What a concept with the top spinning! 👏

[@shawnw3628]

This vid has helped me a lot- thanks!

[@togamac]

Love the 'top' analogy. Makes more sense than starting hip rotation from a standstill.

[@togamac]

Just a follow-up. Working (throwing front toss 1200 times) with my 13 year old granddaughter in the cage, she jokingly exaggerated her leg lift and hit a screaming line drive. Upon reflection, it became clear to me that what she did was what you recommend, i.e., wind up the hips with reverse torque. Her coaches teach hip rotation but not reverse torque as shown in this vid. Great job, Matt. I think that this motion is key to a powerful swing.

[@brookebagneschi1747]

I am in a hitting slump rn. I keep lunging forward to the ball. i watched this video and i’m going to try this tomorrow i think it will rly help me thank you

[@Lanse1984]

Often tired legs, ankles will cause the lunging effect. One way to try and get out of is hitting off of a tee and ensure the front foot lands then rotate. Focus on slowing it down and feeling the foot land. Pitching in baseball is very similar.

[@jbrewer1272]

Excellent breakdown of this fine critical point!

[@antonellisoftball]

Thanks!!

[@dottiechristopher4275]

I have a softball game today and I am kind of bad at loading so thank you for making this video😁

[@truthbearer8216]

great Job explaining what should be taught as fundamentals in a swing. This is pretty much what I've always preached as a hitting couch over the last 25+ years (22 in baseball up through College-now girls fast pitch after being pressured into helping out-LOL), however I'd like to point out something else she does fundamentally sound in the upper half that I love, and that's on the load the she has a quiet bat and hands, as well as a "quick to - long through" approach. Loading with a shoulder to shoulder swing and head tracking the ball to contact! front shoulder comes to the chin on load, front plat foot touches down and starts hands, rotation, and ends with back shoulder at chin through contact keeping head still!

[@kennethdante]

That is a beauty of a swing

[@sydgfunk783]

Nice video

[@BlackDiamondSoftball]

The explanation behind the importance of the lower half is incredible.

[@vincebrown9046]

Can you do a break down of Jocelyn Alo's swing also? Thanks!

[@Arkh3n]

Sooo, I thought I had trouble loading, but it appears I do it as you explain.... My 1-12 record must be coming frome somewhere else then... Thanks for the video anyway!

[@wolfpack4128]

Are you starting to unwind before your front foot hits the ground. That's where my hitting slumps tend to come from.

[@AriesBaller14]

Perfectly explained.

[@antonellisoftball]

Thank you!

[@lucleblanc7550]

What are your thoughts a pigeon toe to the front leg to help remind young hitters to load the hip inwards vs a "flat" back weight load?

[@it_is_finished]

Good stuff Matt. One of my favorite videos you’ve done.

[@antonellisoftball]

Thanks!

[@D__Lee]

Sami Reynolds is 5'4" with a petite build. She busted my belief that HR hitters have to be big, tall, and muscular. Nevertheless, I'm still in awe when she hits a HR bomb.

[@seans155]

Good points. Struggling with what turns the rear leg? Intentional or the action of swinging and tilting back releases and turns leg down and in? If intentional that might lead to a long spinal axis swing and pulling off ball which isn't good.

[@antonellisoftball]

I feel like I’m turning it and tilting at the same time

[@spacemon25]

This is fantastic, What do you say to those that argue “you’re not supposed to turn.” I hear it regularly from parents of softball players that have been given this idea that to do this will disrupt timing.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

What does turn mean? Like the girl in the video turns?

[@adidagolfing]

I think you should look at the legs as more like anchors...back leg is anchored in for the beginning of the swing...the turn starts at your hip...weight shift to rear leg...hip starts to rotate while momentum starts to shift forward into your front leg which should be anchored in and ready to accept all the power generated into you swing at this point and transfer it to back, shoulders, arms and hand which are connected to the bat. Just my opinion. Legs to me are just the foundation for the hips and everything above to complete the cycle of power hitting.

[@ksicpr]

I want to comment to you, Antonelli. It look like the movement of the baseball pitcher went it go forward to "power" position. After the load or rise of his front legs, the pitcher begins the forward move dropping forward his hips first. In this batting video, after the batter load, turning her hips, she begins the forward move with her front hip. I want to clarify, I am not saying it the same movement, but look like near the same concept. What is your comments about this point of view, Antonelli? I just come with this "approach", because my daughter it practicing baseball pitching, but also play fastpitch softball and I want to give her approaching, explanation examples. Regards. By the way, excellent video! 👍🏾

[@LC-wr7ee]

Is loading done the same way in slow pitch softball?

[@antonellisoftball]

L C yes same thing can be done

[@thomasjohnculinary1322]

Yes. And golf

[@user-ij2fi3ku8q]

idk who this woman is but she's obviously very talented. Her stance and load resembles shohei ohtanis to me, if a little less exaggerated in the movements.

[@tvbackgrounds8901]

6:06

[@bradjasnoch1679]

Any specific reason you used a lefty instead of a rights? Just wondering.

[@antonellisoftball]

I just pick different players. This video was left, but a lot of right handers in others

[@travisprice7581]

Is this bad on your knees?

[@vincealince_SRT]

Not at all, improves flexibility and strengthens joints. The movement is natural hip turn with upper body to follow

[@ericc8790]

Smoosh not swish! lol

[@joannekerr830]

You really know what you’re talking about but the back legs should be an anchor not an engine

[@jefffinney4233]

Back leg initiates the hips and up through barrel. It’s an engine and the firming up on front side is anchor. In my mind anyway lol

[@tvbackgrounds8901]

7:30

[@chuloricha]

This sounded a lil perverted 🤔 on the detailed breakdown or Im just high 😭

[@mike-0451]

Thumbnail hurts to look at. Look how disconnected she is.

[@ogjoec]

That thumbnail appears to be after contact

[@JC-uv3ec]

I disagree with half of this and Antonellis personal swing is exactly what I teach my players not to do. My team is batting nearly .500 (opps .200) and is undefeated. Antonelli is selling snake oil off of a record of ONLY 11 total career hits and bated .193. I played and conditioned with players who have more than 1000 MLB hits and get advice from current top College softball players and coaches. What i see and hear from Antonelli is in contrast to what I get from other successful sources. Hes a great athlete, brings energy to the sport, and I'm sure means well but I'm not buying it.

[@CharlieBarrigan]

That is so wrong! Loading up is important in softball hitting

[@CharlieBarrigan]

You must play bad teams then

[@JC-uv3ec]

@@CharlieBarrigan sorry I was busy winning yesterday and increased our BA. Who said anything about loading being wrong? And half of what he says is completely correct. Half is not. My comment is more in general about his videos. Glad at least in this one he is not showing his own swing. He's clearly been coached by desperate for ticket sales minor league batting coaches for just walks and homeruns.

[@JC-uv3ec]

@@CharlieBarrigan I didn't realize players with 11 career hits had die-hard fans.? Does he give you a water bottle with his face on it when you renew the membership to his fanclub?

[@CharlieBarrigan]

@@JC-uv3ec ok I didn’t think I said a lot but good for you..