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arm position

More than any other aspect of the stance, arm position plays the greatest role in
determining the approach and outcome of a swing. Unfortunately, many coaches are
misinformed when it comes to the proper arm positions. The phrase "keep your elbow
up!" is frequently heard at the ballparks by coaches and parents. This directs the batter
to position the back arm up high. When a batter is not in the correct hitting position, this
approach will do little to help the player. In fact, the "elbow up" approach can worsen a
young hitter's chances for success. When a batter does not appear to have his/her bat in
the proper position in the stance, it is best to direct the batter position to "keep the elbow
back". The proper position of the back elbow is one of a "punching position". See photos
below.

Elbow up Elbow back

The proper position of the front elbow is another important aspect of an effective hitting
stance. If "punching" describes the correct position of the back elbow, "slapping" is the
term that best describes the position of the front elbow. It should not be up nor down but
rather back in a "slapping position". See photo on right above. Together, these two
aspects of the stance with help eliminate many common flaws that arise in young players'
swings.

For more details on arm position, battingtips.com recommends reading Kraig S. Kupiec's
book titled Hitting Made Simple: A Guide for Parents and Coaches.