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As a hitter, effectively making contact with the ball is a critical skill to master. In fact, it's considered by many the single most difficult thing to do in sports. If it's so hard, why does every great hitter say you must never think when hitting a baseball?

It's because great hitters are made during practice. Hitting well involves the right body mechanics and focused practice. The good news is that a person can make up for a shortage of natural hitting talent with smart training.

I believe hitting is the most over-taught skill in sports. It's quite obvious that a hitter needs a clear head when batting. So why the heck would a coach yell 10 commands at a hitter when he's hitting? This is the most effective technique for confusing and distracting a batter. Is this the goal?

Simplicity is the secret. Practice hard. Segment the training of your swing to become an expert in each aspect. Over time the muscles in the body will remember how to perform the movement without your conscious thought - that's when you're ready to move to the next step.

The body core and legs are critical for proper hitting form. One of the largest failures is only hitting from the waist up. The most famous sluggers use the body most effectively by moving from the core outward - engaging the hips, legs and having great form throughout. Avoid "squashing the bug". This recommendation robs hitters of strength in the swing every day and should be banned.

Be sure to stay relaxed when hitting a baseball. Your body must be able to react very quickly. When the muscles are pre-tensioned there is a delay to react which robs acceleration and velocity. Part of staying relaxed includes not grabbing the bat tightly when batting. Keeping a relaxed hold on the bat will help relax the body which will improve reaction time and hitting power.

Last, but certainly not least, work on your baseball-specific vision. Practice following small thrown objects - like baseballs. Learn to anticipate where the ball will go. The skill of following the speed and direction of a baseball is critical to successful hitting. Be sure to get regular vision checks. After all, you can't hit what you can't see!