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Hip and Shoulder Separation

Stretch the big muscles of the trunk by letting the hips start before the shoulders.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Take your stance with the bat across your shoulders.

Core: As written. Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.

Ages
11 and up
Time
10 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Bat
Level · skill
Developing · Power

The steps

How it works

  1. Take your stance with the bat across your shoulders.
  2. Stride and open your hips while your shoulders stay closed.
  3. Then let the shoulders whip through.
  4. Do 3 sets of 8 smooth reps.

Coaching point

Hips go, shoulders wait, then fire.

Safety: Move smoothly; this is not a strength test.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Base-path follow-the-leader: one person leads a movement between the bases and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (slower or smaller), Core (as written), More (one extra twist). Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.

Story

You are a base runner exploring the diamond.

My best

Beat your own count

Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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