Know the Count

Foundation · Free lesson

about 30–45 minutes

Game IQ Lesson 2: Know the Count

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Level: Foundation (HS and up) · Time: about 30–45 minutes · Need: a phone or notebook, a game to watch, a partner for live at-bats if possible

Goal: Change your plan as a hitter, pitcher and fielder based on the count.
Why it matters: The count changes everything. Hitters do much better when ahead (2-0, 3-1) than behind (0-2, 1-2). Pitchers attack differently, and fielders can expect different contact. Smart players adjust every pitch.

1. Watch first (about 23 min total)

Video	Channel	Length	Why we chose it
How to "Work the Count"	Antonelli Baseball	7:04	How to work the count, from a former MLB player.
Understanding the Count, Locations, Strike Zone and Pitch Selection - Pitching & Hitting Strategy	Coach Dan Blewett	10:41	The count, locations and pitch selection from the pitcher’s side.
Hitting Approach When Ahead in Count	Antonelli Baseball	5:00	Hitting approach when you are ahead in the count.

2. Do this: drills, sets and reps

Drill	How	Sets × reps	Cue
A. Count flashcards	Make cards for all 12 counts. For each, write the hitter plan and pitcher plan.	1 × 12 cards	“Every count has a plan.”
B. Count-based plan sheet	Before a game, write what you are looking for in 0-0, 2-0, 3-1 and with 2 strikes.	Before each game	“Hunt early, battle late.”
C. TV-game count calls	Watch one inning. Call “hitter’s count” or “pitcher’s count” and predict the pitch.	1 inning	“Read the count.”
D. Live count at-bats	Start live at-bats in different counts and play them out with the right approach.	6 at-bats	“Count first, then swing.”

3. Common mistakes and fixes

Mistake	What you see	Fix
Swinging at the pitcher’s pitch when ahead	Weak contact on 2-0	Hunt your pitch in your zone when ahead.
Same approach with 2 strikes	Strikeouts	Shorten up and protect the plate.
Pitcher falling behind	Walks and hard contact	Pitchers: first-pitch strikes (Pitching Lesson 5).
Fielders not adjusting	Out of position on 0-2 or 3-1	Expect more pull-side contact in hitter’s counts.

4. How to measure progress

Flashcard quiz: Correct plans out of 12. Goal: 12 of 12.
Prediction rate: Correct pitch-type guesses in one inning. Track it.
Game results: Your results in hitter’s counts vs. pitcher’s counts over 2 weeks.
Move on to Lesson 3 when: you score 12 of 12 on the flashcards.

5. At-home version

Make the 12 count flashcards.
Watch an MLB inning and call the count type before every pitch.
Write your two-strike plan on an index card.

Challenge: Before each at-bat in your next game, know your plan for 0-0 and 2 strikes.

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