Before my recruiting visit to Maryland, I had never heard of Motor Preferences. That changed the moment I sat down with Coach Swope. Instead of simply analyzing a heat map and pointing out where I hit the ball well and where I struggled, he explained why my body naturally preferred certain pitches and why others gave me trouble. Within minutes, I realized I would never look at hitting the same way again.
Since being introduced to Motor Preferences in July 2022, there hasn’t been a day I haven’t thought about it. It transformed how I saw the game, how I prepared, and how I built my approach. It made my daily routine more individual, more efficient, and most importantly, more intentional. I no longer had to guess what worked for me—I knew. That knowledge gave me confidence, allowing me to optimize my potential and take full control of my development.
Mental Freedom and Efficiency
The biggest impact Motor Preferences had on me as a hitter was the mental freedom it provided. Every drill had a calculated purpose for me. Every cue was tailored to me. No two players move the same way, and Motor Preferences helped me understand my own mechanics in a way that nothing else had.
With that understanding, my training became incredibly efficient. I didn’t need to spend an hour grinding in the cage trying to "find my swing." Instead, I had 2-3 drills that locked me in each day. I had 2-3 mental cues I could cycle through during BP to make quick adjustments. What used to take an hour now took 20 minutes. That extra time? I used it to refine game skills—pitch recognition, approach adjustments, timing. And that is what makes you a better hitter in the game.
I no longer felt the need to take 60 minutes of swings just to feel ready. If I found my feel in 15 minutes, that was perfect. The rest of my time went toward preparing to compete—studying pitch shapes, working on different speeds, and sharpening my decision-making.
Preparation and Adaptability
No matter what level you play at—high school, college, or the big leagues—you’re going to face different types of pitchers every day. Righty, lefty, over-the-top, sidearm, two-seam, four-seam… so why do 99% of hitters stand in the box the same way every time?
Motor Preferences helped me stack the odds in my favor. I could make small, calculated adjustments—hunting specific pitches based on my motor eye, shifting my stance to match a pitcher’s arm angle, or even tweaking my chin position based on their arsenal. The goal as a hitter is simple: give yourself the best possible chance to square up the ball. Because of Motor Preferences, I didn’t have to guess at my plan—I had conviction and a system to back it up.
Breaking Down At-Bats the Right Way
No matter the outcome of a game, Motor Preferences helped me absorb information in a productive way. Watching game film became simple. Instead of overanalyzing my mechanics, I asked myself two questions:
- Was I on time?
- Did I swing at a strike?
When hitters struggle, one of these answers is usually no. If I was late or chasing, I knew where to start. If I could answer yes to both but still didn’t get the results I wanted, I would check if I was swinging in profile—moving in a way that aligned with my natural mechanics. It typically took just 3 swings to identify any issues. The next day, I’d step into the cage with a clear plan and get back on track.
The Bottom Line
Being in profile isn’t the be-all end-all—you still have to ask the two key questions: Was I on time? Did I swing at a strike? But Motor Preferences helps you sift through information faster, make adjustments quicker, and avoid wasting time on unnecessary swings.
It allows you to digest, adjust, and trust yourself. That’s what real confidence looks like.
So, my only question for players—past and present—is this:
How well do you know yourself?