Posted by: Graylon (g_dunc@hotmail.com) on Wed Jan 2 12:57:01 2008

> >>> I am a Mike Epstein Instructor and I truly believe that he has the best drills for teaching the proper mechanics and I also believe that Jack has some very good stuff as well. <<<
>
> Hi Graylon
>
> A few years back, I had the opportunity to discuss batting mechanics with Mike. The key difference in what we teach concerns the way that the lead-arm is used and the resulting path of the hands. Mike insisted that the lead-arm should start “boxed” (about a 90-degree bend), and then extend toward contact. This, he stated, would allow the hands to take a direct path (A to B) to the contact.
>
> I maintained the lead-elbow should remain at a more fixed angle (boxed or straighter) during rotation, which takes the hands in a more circular path. Mike stated that taking the hands is a circular path would produce a longer and slower swing.
>
> Since our discussion, I have read many of his posts on his site that still maintains that the boxed elbow should extend to take the hands straight to the zone. – Do you know if he still holds these views? If so, is this what you teach your students?
>
> Jack Mankin


Jack,

I have personally never heard Mike mention extending to the ball. At contact, on a pitch you're not fooled on, you will have a bent lead arm and extend after contact. This is what I teach.

Graylon