Load
Also known as: coil, gather, pre-swing load
The load is the backward weight shift and hand coil that sets the hitter in a ready, wound-up position before initiating the swing. In slow pitch, the load must happen early and hold while the long-arcing ball descends.
Because the slow pitch has a long flight time — often 1.5 to 2 seconds — the hitter must load early and hold the energy until the ball reaches the power zone. The challenge is loading without drifting forward or swinging early. A strong load stores energy in the hips and core, positions the hands at the launch point, and keeps the weight back until the arc descent triggers the swing. Hitters who fail to load properly swing early, shift weight forward (lunge), and lose power.
Example
As the ball peaks at its highest point, the hitter has already loaded — weight back, hands cocked — and waits patiently for the ball to descend into the zone.
Why it matters
Load timing is the hidden variable in slow-pitch power. SwingVantage reads your weight-shift sequence to tell you if you are lunging or holding your load correctly.
Related terms
- Weight ShiftWeight shift is the deliberate transfer of body weight from the back foot during the load to the front foot during the swing, generating forward momentum that adds power at contact.
- Stride TimingStride timing is when you take your forward step relative to the descending pitch. Against a high arc, the stride lands early and the hands stay back, separating the lower and upper body.
- Hand SpeedHand speed is how quickly the hands accelerate the bat head through the hitting zone. Faster hands produce more bat speed, higher exit velocity, and more time to read the pitch before committing.
- LoadThe load is the small backward gathering of the hands and weight before the swing starts, storing energy to fire into the ball.
Related guides & benchmarks
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