Posted by: THE HITTING GURU () on Sat Jul 5 19:43:03 2003

Far be it for me to say what feels right to someone else is wrong. Straight up-----there is more than one way to hit a ball, but as for me I don't care for the phrase "crack the whip". Again this is only my feel.....I'll try to explain.
> > >
> > > Crack the whip implies that the wrist will roll. I tried to work it out, but I see know way of cracking the whip without empasizing the wrist snap and putting the brakes on the the follow-through. In my swing I want there to be no emphasis on the follow through. I guess you could say I take half swings, without putting on the brakes. Understand that the wrists do roll, but there is no forced effort, or no special moment when the bat is snapped into the ball by the wrists in a whip like fashion. I've stated before that my feel is that the ball gets in the way of my swing and not me hitting the ball.
> > >
> > > A better swing thought for me is "there is no follow through" and as long as I don't put on the brakes it happens naturally. For me the whip takes place when the torque of the trunk throws the arms into the ball.
> > >
> > > I grew up cracking the whip and it served me well, but today those swings are reserved for situational hitting only, not hitting the ball where it is pitched.
> > >
> > > Respectfully,
> > >
> > > Coach C.
> > >
> > > I think the illusion of power is always in the hands.
> > >
> > > Coach C, your point is well taken but I don't think you can necessairily equate "wrist snap" with wrist roll".
>
> I agree with you. Most people snap their wrists, as opposed to rolling their wrists. It works, but it's too much work. I got tired of working hard to hit.
>
> Coach C





The wrist snap is a misunderstood concept. It helps to have hand strength and quickness which promotes more overall bat control. (Roberto Alomar, Alfonso Soriano, Vladimir Guerrero, Mike Piazza) This concept has more to due with flexibility and coordination. The wrist roll is a principle used to help get the ball on the ground when hitting to a vacated area of the infield.