Thanks to All for the great info.
One thing that I have observed is that most if not all pitchers can be timed by a rhythm or cadence if you will, that if you study them you can develope that cadence on when to sweep the zone. Generally from intiatation of the windup to their throwing their arms back is generally one count. From the arms starting the windmil to the top is two count, release from the hand three count, sweep the zone on four count, slower pitchers a four and a half, to five count. It can almost become like a sing song count in your head. You can slow down or speed up the cadence as necessary to adapt to each pitcher and speed. This has worked for my daughter at the lower levels. When change ups come into play it can unravel this concept to a certain degree unless she can keep her hands back and make the adjustment like any other approach to the changeup. Hope this helps, I know it helped my DD. Of course if you have no rhytym it may not work for you ;-)
I've always been taught to step when the pitcher steps. Its something that everyone in my teams were taught and it's something I teach my kids.
Likewise. Which is why I'm continually baffled as to why someone has yet to invent a pitching machine with a foot, but I digress. I teach load on backswing, step with the pitchers step.