How To Use One Hand Training Bats

If you’re looking to improve your baseball or softball game, you may want to consider using a one-hand training bat. Training bats are specially designed to help you work on your hitting technique, and using a one-hand training bat can be an effective way to develop your skills. It’s important to choose the right size, grip the bat properly, practice the correct stance, swing the bat correctly, and focus on accuracy. With practice and dedication, you can use a one-hand training bat to become a better hitter.

How To Use A One Hand Traning Bat

As mentioned, one-hand training bats are an effective way to improve your hitting ability. But you might be wondering how do I use a one-handed bat? Before we can explain, it’s important to know what a one-handed bat is intended to improve. 

You see, swinging a typical baseball bat or softball bat requires both hands to work simultaneously in order to produce the best results. Your top hand (the hand highest on the bat) produces your power. Your bottom hand (the hand closest to the knob) directs the path of your swing. While a training bat can help improve your strength, one-handed bats are typically used to improve your swing path (bottom hand only).

The following are the steps to follow when using a one-hand training bat:

• Set up for a tee or soft toss
• Take your normal batting stance
• Drop one of your hands from the bat
• Load your legs
• Swing!

[Tip: You want to feel like you are backhanding the ball]

Coaches, make sure you are watching your players’ swings. Hitters can develop a bad habit of dipping their back shoulder when using a one-handed bat. Try to keep them short and direct to the ball. These do not need to be 100% effort swing. The purpose of a one-handed swing is to improve barrel control and make sure your arms are in the correct swing slot. Keep it short. Keep it simple. We are not trying to hit bombs here.

What Is A One Hand Training Bat?

A one-hand training bat is a substantially smaller bat, typically made from wood, used in hitting drills. They will never be swung against live pitching, in batting cages, or during games. Hitters should only use a one-hand training bat when hitting off a tee or during soft toss. Notable bat companies such as Rawlings, Brett Bros, and BamBooBat produce quality one-hand training bats. We have inserted a graphic below to give you a better idea of what a one-hand training bat looks like.

As you can see, the bat is essentially a handle and a barrel. There will be little to no taper in a one handed trainer.

What Size One Hand Bat Should I Get? 

One-handed training bats come in a small variety of sizes. These bats typically range between 18 to 22 inches in length and 18 to 26 ounces in weight. We recommend young hitters swing the smaller training bats like the BamBooBat 18" One Hand Training Bat (HWBR18T) while high school and adult hitters swing something longer like the Brett Bros 22" Maple Wood One Hand Training Bat (BBOHT22). 

Tips When Using a One Hand Bat

It can feel a little strange when you first begin to use a one-hand training bat. That’s ok! Take your time and really think about what you are trying to accomplish. The following are a couple of tips to keep in mind when using a one-handed baseball or softball bat.

• Backhand the ball. 
• Get your elbow through the zone quickly. This will force the barrel of the bat to get on the correct swing plane earlier in your swing, which will guarantee quality contact even if you are early or late on a pitch.
• Train both of your hands. 
• Conclude by taking a couple of swings with both hands.
• Aim to square up the ball, not to send it over the fence. This is a quality-of-contact tool.
• If a hitter struggles to control the training bat through the zone, have them choke up on the bat. 

To help you, we have included a video of former MLB All-Star Ian Kinsler breaking down his tips for swinging with a one-hand training bat.

How To Hold A One Hand Training Bat

It can feel a little daunting to remove a hand from the bat just before you swing. But doing so can be incredibly insightful towards understanding your swing. When holding a one hand training bat, you simply take your normal batting stance and remove a hand of your choice. 

If you are looking to work with your bottom hand, remove your top hand and swing. The same applies for your top hand, however, you will likely want to slide it down so that it is resting on the knob of the bat. This will help you control the bat through your swing. And viola! You’re now ready to take your first one-handed swings.

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We hope this article was helpful in learning a couple of new one-handed batting tips and drills. If you have any questions or would like more information regarding baseball and softball training bats, please contact our team of Bat Experts. We are available via phone 866-321-2287, email experts@justbats.com, or live chat. We’re JustBats, and we’re always with you from Click to Hit!