How to design effective range stations and deliver precise, productive swing instruction.📄 ICC Athletic Development Plan (PDF)
Stations aligned parallel — all hitting same direction
8–10 feet minimum spacing between stations
One ball basket per station or per 2 students max
Target system: cones at 50/75/100 yards minimum
Mirror or reference board at instructor position
Observe 3–5 shots without speaking
Watch before you speak. Always.
Identify the PRIMARY issue
Path, face, or contact — not all three.
One cue only. Never more than one.
The brain cannot process multiple new patterns.
Give 3–5 shots with the cue active
Let them attempt the change.
Observe change. If no change: new cue or constraint.
Adapt if needed.
If change present: let them feel it 5 more times before moving on.
Repetition embeds the pattern.
THE ONE CUE RULE
The most common mistake: giving 3 corrections at once. The brain cannot process multiple new patterns simultaneously. Choose the one that, if fixed, would fix the others as a byproduct.
Instead of "swing this way," use constraints that make the correct movement the only possible movement.
Foot together drill
Forces weight shift
Alignment stick in ground at 45°
Prevents over-the-top path
Tee in front of ball
Forces forward shaft lean at impact
Towel under trail arm
Prevents early extension
Impact bag
Builds compression and contact awareness
Headcover behind ball
Shallow attack angle
Hips push toward ball, upper body rises
Fear of the ground. Usually a compensation for steep attack.
Alignment stick in ground at knee height behind player
"Bump the stick with your right hip going through"
Club exits to the left of target line
Arms lead the downswing before lower body
Throw-to-right-field drill (feel inside path)
"Swing to right field, not center field"
Lead elbow bends and pulls away from body through impact
Deceleration or fear of the shot
Towel under lead arm drill
"Keep the lead arm running past your left pocket"
Wrist hinge lost at top of backswing immediately on downswing
Instinct to hit the ball hard with hands
L-to-L drill (maintain lag into impact)
"Let the grip lead, not the head"
Weight transfers backward instead of forward through impact
Trying to "lift" the ball
Left foot trail drill (must stay on left foot through impact)
"Post up on your left side like a kickboxer"