Learning to Slap Left-Handed (Right-Handed Hitters)
Also known as: learn to slap lefty, how long does it take to learn to slap, how long does it take to learn to slap lefty, right handed hitter learning to slap, converting to a slapper, switching to slap hitting, righty learning to slap lefty
There is no set timeline for a right-handed hitter learning to slap lefty. It depends on how often she practices and the coaching she gets. Many start in the offseason and expect a hard first season. Notre Dame's Jenna Simon switched over one winter at age 11 and called her first season very difficult.
Learning to slap from the left side means building new habits. The hitter has to bunt, track the ball and run from a side that feels strange. Most coaches teach it in stages. Start with bunts and drag bunts from the left side. Then add the footwork without a ball. After that, add soft toss and front toss while moving, and finally live pitching.
Simon's path shows one version. She switched in sixth grade on her hitting coach's advice. She started with the drag bunt, then worked on footwork, hands and timing. She took lessons several times a week and hit off a tee in her garage.
Expect the first games to be uneven. The new side will feel slow under game pressure. Many players keep their right-handed swing as a backup while they learn. Speed is the main reason to slap, so the skill pays off most for fast runners.
Tips by skill level
Start with bunts from the left side every day. Add footwork only once the bunt feels natural.
Use the offseason for the switch. Plan a progression from bunts to footwork to moving soft toss, then live pitching.
Example
A fast right-handed 12U hitter starts slapping lefty in November. She bunts from the left side daily, then adds the crossover step. By spring she can bunt reliably, and her slap keeps improving through the season.
Why it matters
Converting can turn a fast but light-hitting player into a weapon. Knowing it takes many months keeps players and parents patient.
Common mistakes
- Starting with the full running slap before bunting
- Giving up after the first hard weeks
- Practicing only in team practice
- Ignoring footwork drills without a ball
Frequently asked questions
Can a right-handed hitter learn to slap?
Yes. Many slappers are right-handed players who learned to hit from the left side, usually starting with bunts.
What should I learn first as a new slapper?
The bunt and drag bunt from the left side. Footwork and the running slap come after.
Sources
Related terms
- Slap HittingSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher while making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
- Crossover Slap StepIn a crossover slap step, the back foot crosses in front of the front foot. It starts the slapper moving toward the pitcher, building momentum into contact.
- Slap Footwork Variations (Jab Step, Crossover and Running Starts)Slappers move their feet in a few common patterns. The simplest crosses the back foot over toward the pitcher and makes contact as it lands. A two-step version starts with a small jab of the front foot, forward or back, for timing, then crosses over. A running slap turns those steps into the first strides toward first base.
- Drag BuntA drag bunt is a bunt for a base hit. A fast runner, usually a left-handed slapper, starts running toward first before contact to beat the throw.
- Switch Hitting (Fast-Pitch)Switch hitting means batting from both sides of the plate. In fast-pitch, the more common path is for a fast right-handed player to learn to slap from the left side. This starts her closer to first base and already moving at contact. A full switch hitter also swings away from both sides, which takes far more practice. Speed, bat control and patience usually decide which path fits.
Related guides & benchmarks
Have a question about this?
There is nothing here to film. Ask SwingVantage a follow-up question, or keep reading the related terms above.