How to Hit Ground Balls: Tips and Effective Drills

Many players struggle when they try to hit a ground ball to move runners but end up hitting fly balls instead. This can be frustrating because fly balls often stop runners from advancing, while weak ground balls can lead to easy outs.
Sometimes, the problem is not being able to roll the ball where you want. These issues often improve by adjusting your contact point and how you hold the bat.

What You Need to Know to Hit Ground Balls on Purpose

Boy running toward first base

One important idea when hitting ground balls is not to try too hard to hit a grounder. Especially for beginners, focusing too much on hitting ground balls can cause an extreme downward swing or lean forward too much. This makes it harder to hit the ball cleanly and can lead to swinging and missing. Poor timing can also cause the bat to strike under the ball, sending it into the air as a fly ball instead of a grounder.

To hit a ground ball, focus on making solid contact with the top half of the ball. To keep the ball low, don’t try to hit down too hard. Instead, understand how your swing path and contact point work together, and practice feeling how to hit the upper part of the ball naturally.

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Pro Tips for Hitting Ground Balls

Here are some great tips to help you hit ground balls where you want.

Tip 1: Aim for the Top Half of the Ball

Checking contact point using a tee stand

To intentionally hit ground balls, you need to make contact with the top half of the ball. Avoid swinging too far downward; a swing path slightly below horizontal is ideal. Focusing on these points will help you hit strong grounders without the ball popping up. Also, low pitches work best for ground balls, so try aiming for lower pitches.

Tip 2: Adjust How You Hold the Bat

Batter’s stance in front of a tee stand

Changing how you hold the bat can help you hit ground balls more consistently. Holding the bat with the barrel more upright or keeping it level makes it easier to control your swing and hit the top half of the ball. If the bat head drops too much, it’s easier to hit under the ball, which often leads to fly balls.

Drills to Help You Hit Ground Balls Where You Want

Player starting a swing with a bat

Here are three drills that can help you get better at hitting ground balls on purpose.

Drill 1: Use a Tee Stand

Drill 1: Use a Tee Stand

Practicing with a tee stand helps because the ball stays still, making it easier to check your swing and contact point. You can get a clear feel for where and how to hit the ball to produce a ground ball.

Try changing the ball’s position—not just left or right but also forward and backward. This will help you find the best spot and swing path to hit grounders consistently.

Drill 2: Practice Bunting

Drill 2: Practice Bunting

Bunting drills are great for learning how to roll the ball. Since bunts require you to guide the ball on the ground, practicing different bat angles and contact points while bunting helps you understand how to hit grounders with regular swings.

Experiment with various bat angles and contact points during bunting practice to develop a strong sense of how to control ground balls.

Drill 3: Keep Your Back Shoulder In Check

Drill 3: Keep Your Back Shoulder In Check

When practicing your swing, focus on keeping your back shoulder from dropping too far down. Keeping it higher helps keep the bat more upright, which makes it easier to hit ground balls.

Be careful, though—this focus can cause your wrists to roll over too early. Make sure your swing stays smooth and controlled while maintaining this posture.

Training Gear for More Consistent Ground Balls

Now, let’s look at some training tools that can help improve your ability to hit ground balls where you want.

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
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Baseball Samurais

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 is perfect for practicing hitting specific spots. It has numbers 1 through 9 to help you aim for different zones.

This tool is effective for learning how to adjust your swing angle and placement depending on the pitch location. It easily attaches to a net, so you can set it up anywhere.

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
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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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"If you want to keep your back shoulder from dropping, the Swing Stand with Turf Set is a great choice. Adding a slight slope under your back foot helps you stay balanced and shift your weight correctly.

This set encourages powerful grounders and line drives by promoting proper weight transfer during your swing."

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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 design makes your swing path and where you hit the ball have a bigger impact on the ball’s flight.

If you learn to hit ground balls consistently with this bat, switching back to a regular bat will feel easier. It’s ideal for players who want to improve their ability to make solid contact."

Baseball Samurais

If you have any other questions or concerns,

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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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