In MLB The Show 25, hitting is all about timing—and mastering leg kicks is one of the most effective ways to elevate your batting game to the next level. A properly timed leg kick can give you more rhythm, power, and control at the plate. But if your timing is off, it can just as easily become a liability, throwing off your entire swing. Whether you're new to The Show or looking to refine your batting mechanics, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about leg kicks, from setup MLB The Show 25 Stubs and timing to advanced techniques and pro-level tips.

What Is a Leg Kick in MLB The Show 25?
A leg kick is a load mechanic that mimics a real-life hitter’s stride timing. Instead of simply pressing the swing button or moving the analog stick without any pre-swing rhythm, a leg kick gives your hitter a more dynamic motion that syncs up with the pitcher's wind-up. It serves two primary purposes:

Adds Rhythm to Your Swing: Helps you time pitches more consistently.

Increases Power: Encourages a more explosive swing when timed correctly.

In MLB The Show 25, players can customize their swing timing mechanics through their batting stance and load type. Leg kicks are one of several swing load styles available, but they offer some of the most potent timing and power advantages.

How to Activate and Use Leg Kicks
To use a leg kick in MLB The Show 25, go to Create-A-Player or Edit Player under the Roster or RTTS (Road to the Show) menus. Then:

Choose a Batting Stance: Some batting stances naturally include leg kicks (e.g., Ronald Acuña Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., or Matt Olson).

Set Your Swing Load Type: Make sure your load style is set to “Leg Kick” instead of “No Load” or “Toe Tap.”

Once in-game:

Timing the Kick: As the pitcher begins their motion, lightly pull back on the analog stick (if using Zone or Analog Swinging) to start the leg lift.

Swing Timing: Press your swing input (X, Square, Circle or Analog Flick) as the leg comes down—ideally just before the pitch crosses the plate.

Why Timing Matters: Early vs. Late Leg Kicks
In MLB The Show 25, a leg kick can either give you a smooth, powerful swing—or completely ruin your timing. Here’s how timing affects performance:

Timing Type Outcome Description
Perfect ✅ Best Power Contact Swing connects at the sweet spot of the leg coming down.
Early ⚠️ Weak Fly Balls or Pop-ups Swing too soon—often leads to jammed contact or pulled foul balls.
Late ⚠️ Weak Ground Balls or Strikeouts You miss the energy of the load and hit the ball off-balance.

To avoid these issues, practice syncing your leg kick to the pitcher’s windup. Recognize release points, and adjust your timing based on pitcher speed and delivery style.

Training Your Timing: Best Practice Modes
There are several game modes and tools to practice your leg kick timing:

Custom Practice

Choose a high-velocity pitcher like Jacob deGrom.

Focus only on fastballs or breaking balls.

Repeat until your timing rating frequently reads “Good” or “Perfect.”

Challenge of the Week

Test your reflexes in high-pressure scenarios.

Get used to reacting quickly and consistently.

RTTS (Road to the Show)

Set your difficulty to Dynamic or Veteran until you’re comfortable.

Experiment with leg kicks in actual game environments.

Batting Cages

Some Diamond Dynasty or RTTS hubs feature batting cage minigames.

These are perfect for working on different timing types (early, good, late).

Leg Kicks and Swing Types: Power vs. Contact Hitters
Leg kicks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Your success with them can vary depending on your player’s archetype.

Power Hitters (e.g., Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber)
Leg kicks enhance momentum and launch angle. If timed well, they translate to more home runs and extra-base hits.

Contact Hitters (e.g., Luis Arraez, José Altuve)
Leg kicks can throw off your precision. A smaller stride or toe tap may be more suitable.

Switch Hitters or Balanced Hitters
Leg kicks are viable on both sides but may need different timing cues depending on the stance and pitcher handedness.

Best Leg Kick Stances in MLB The Show 25
Looking to find a swing animation with a satisfying and effective leg kick? Here are a few of the best:

Player Stance Leg Kick Quality Notes
Ronald Acuña Jr. High Smooth animation, great for aggressive hitters.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Medium-High Slight delay in leg kick—excellent for rhythm hitters.
Shohei Ohtani Medium Clean transition from kick to swing—good for balance.
Matt Olson Subtle Small leg kick but powerful load—ideal for lefties.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Flashy Timing needs practice, but huge payoff potential.

Try different ones in Edit Player and test in Practice Mode to find what works best for you.

Advanced Tips: Pro-Level Leg Kick Mechanics
Want to go beyond the basics? These advanced tips will take your timing to elite levels:

Read the Pitcher’s Leg Movement
Watch for early cues in the windup. Some pitchers delay their release, which can disrupt your leg kick rhythm.

Use Audio Cues
Train yourself to react to the sound of the ball release rather than the animation alone. This can fine-tune your reaction window.

Practice Against Different Arm Slots
Pitchers like Chris Sale or Yu Darvish can throw off timing with sidearm or deceptive deliveries. The more arm slots you face, the better your adaptability.

Avoid Guessing Too Much
Don’t fully commit to your leg kick unless you’re reasonably sure of pitch type and location. Always allow a late bail-out option.

Zone + Leg Kick Combo
Use Zone Hitting with your leg kick to maximize control over swing timing and plate coverage. Start the load early, but don’t commit your PCI placement too soon.

When NOT to Use Leg Kicks
While powerful, leg kicks aren’t always the right choice. Avoid them in:

Two-strike counts: Prioritize contact and quick reaction.

Facing knuckleballers or submarine pitchers: Their delivery timing disrupts normal load mechanics.

Online laggy games: Timing-dependent mechanics suffer in high-latency environments.

Switch to a “no-stride” or toe-tap load in these situations for better timing consistency.

Final Thoughts
Mastering the leg kick in MLB The Show 25 is more than just a stylistic choice—it’s a strategic edge. With enough practice and awareness, leg kicks can improve your plate discipline, increase your power output, and help you feel more “locked in” every time you step into the batter’s box.

If you're struggling at the plate or just want to MLB The Show refine your swing mechanics, start by working on your leg kick timing in Custom Practice, test stances that match your hitter’s archetype, and always adjust based on the pitcher’s style. Before long, you’ll be turning more good timing swings into moonshot home runs and clutch hits.