How to Hit Controlled Fly Balls: Best Tips and Drills

Many batters want to hit a fly ball at just the right moment but end up hitting mostly grounders instead.
Does any of this sound familiar?

・You swing but rarely get a fly ball
・When you do hit a fly ball, its direction and height are all over the place

These problems often come from the swing path and where you make contact with the ball.
Adjusting these can help you hit more controlled fly balls.

Swing Path and Contact Point Matter When Hitting Fly Balls

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To hit fly balls on purpose, it’s key to understand the swing path and where you hit the ball.
If your swing hits above the ball, you’ll likely get a grounder.
But if you swing too low and hit the very bottom of the ball, you’ll end up with a pop-up.

Where you hit the ball also matters. If you make contact too far forward, you tend to hit the upper part of the ball, which causes ground balls.
If you hit too far back, your power drops, and it’s harder to get a fly ball.
To hit the ideal fly ball, you need to know how the swing path and contact point affect the ball’s flight.

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Key Points to Hitting Controlled Fly Balls

Here are two important points to help you hit fly balls where you want.

Point 1 – Adjust Your Swing Path

If you want to hit fly balls, you need to control the angle of your swing. If the swing path is too steep, you’ll hit pop-ups. If it’s too flat, the ball will come out as a line drive or grounder.

The best swing path is slightly upward. You can get this by pushing your hips forward while keeping your hands back during the swing. This helps keep the bat on an upward path.

Point 2 – Focus on Your Contact Point

The contact point—where your bat meets the ball—is very important to hit fly balls consistently.

The best spot is slightly behind the center of the ball, hitting the lower half. When you hit here, the ball tends to rise, making it easier to control your fly ball.

Practice is key to finding the perfect contact point. Try different spots during practice to see where you get the best fly ball results. Keep checking during games and training to get used to your ideal contact point.

How to Practice Controlled Fly Balls

Here are three drills that will help you hit controlled fly balls more consistently.

Drill 1 – Use a Tee Stand

Drill 1 – Use a Tee Stand

Practicing with a tee stand is great because the ball stays still, making it easier to check your swing path and contact point. You can see exactly where to hit the ball and feel what kind of swing path sends it flying.

Using a tee stand that holds the ball suspended can really help you practice hitting the bottom part of the ball, which makes it easier to hit solid fly balls. If you can get this kind of tee stand, we highly recommend it.

Drill 2 – Tee Batting with a Target

Drill 2 – Tee Batting with a Target

Place a target right in front of you and practice hitting the ball so it flies just over it. This helps you naturally think about the right swing path and contact point to clear the target.

This drill not only helps you get a better feel for the swing but also adds a fun challenge, keeping your practice positive and focused.

Drill 3 – Bat Hugging Swing Drill

Drill 3 – Bat Hugging Swing Drill

Try swinging while holding the bat close to your chest. This drill encourages an upward swing path, which is helpful for learning the form for hitting fly balls.

This drill is especially useful for players whose swings aren’t consistent. It helps build a solid swing form you can rely on.

Great Training Gear to Help You Hit Controlled Fly Balls

Here are some products we recommend to help you build your skills for hitting controlled fly balls.

9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet
9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet
9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet
9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet
9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet
9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet
1 6
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9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet

$79.00
$79.00
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9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet: Targeted Batting Practice

Take your batting skills to the next level with the 9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet. Hang this sheet in front of a net to practice hitting nine distinct targets, helping you sharpen your bat control and accuracy. Repeated practice with a specific focus will naturally improve your ability to hit with precision.

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The 9-Zone Batting Precision Target Sheet helps you improve bat control by aiming at nine different numbered zones. You can practice inside, outside, high, and low pitch locations, all with one target sheet. It easily attaches to a net, so you can train anywhere.
This gear is perfect for players who want to hit the ball exactly where they aim.

Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
Swing Stand with Turf Set
1 12
Baseball Samurais

Swing Stand with Turf Set

$99.90
$99.90
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Swing Stand with Turf Set: Master Natural Weight Transfer for Better Hitting

The Swing Stand with Turf Set is designed to help players naturally develop proper weight transfer during their swing. Inspired by training methods used by Japan's top Little League teams, this stand with a slight incline allows players to practice while wearing cleats. The result is a smoother and more effective weight transfer, leading to more powerful, efficient swings.

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The Swing Stand with Turf Set helps correct weight transfer during your swing. Placing it under your front foot at a slight angle encourages your weight to stay back, naturally creating a more upward swing path.
This is ideal for players who struggle to hit fly balls because their head moves forward too early or their body opens up too soon.

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Baseball Samurais

Flat Surface Bat

$99.90
$99.90
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No need to change the bat! This is a bat used in two ways! By hitting with a flat surface, you can improve your techniques to meet the ball!

Because the sweet spot of this bat is flat, you can practice developing the sense of "hitting with the entire surface" of a bat.  In order to firmly meet the ball on a flat surface, it is important to swing the bat with a proper swing path.

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The Flat Surface Bat has a flat sweet spot instead of a round one. This makes your swing path and contact point have a bigger effect on how the ball flies.
If you can hit fly balls consistently using this bat, a regular bat will feel so much easier. It’s an excellent tool for players who want to improve their skills and make solid, consistent hits.

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If you have any other questions or concerns,

feel free to reach out!

If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us! We're passionate about baseball and dedicated to helping players grow. We're here to fully support you in overcoming any challenges you face during training!

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