Posted by: Matt () on Thu Sep 4 16:36:40 2003

Followed discussions for many months. Purchased Final Arc II a few months ago.
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> > > Problem: son is popping everything up. Out of 100 bp swings, he will pop up on 80+. We've taped his bp. Looks as though bat is descending in front of his body and thus descending as bat enters plane of ball.
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> > > Elbow: his HS coach told him to "drive front elbow down and in." Is that what is causing him to pop up? I know he is not dropping his head or lowering his body as he swings.
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> > > Question: where should front elbow be as his hands begin to circle into plane of ball? More importantly, how do I work with him to keep from popping up?
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> > Front elbow should stay in the plane of the swing, which would normally be slightly up since the ball is approaching at a downward angle.
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> > I would be a little concerned if my son's coach advised him to "drive down and in". Driving down will either cause him to pull the bat below the swing plane, roll his wrists prior to contact, or both. This kind of language might also suggest that there should be a significant bend in the front elbow, ala Epstein. Jack's version of rotational mechanics keeps the front arm fairly straight, as it is being pulled by the front shoulder to generate bottom hand torque.
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> > The coach may believe that your son is popping up due to an upper cut, and thinks that driving the front elbow down will level out the swing. In your opinion, is your son swinging up at a sharper angle than the approaching ball?
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> > Alan
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> to open at a pitch that elbow must lead at it. the bat can only follow the elbow

It's important to correct some misinformation previously given. I'm sure it was unintentional, perhaps this person simply received some bad advice from his coach. But.......fact is, elbow down and in IS a valid swing thought. Hint: ELBOW IN THE SLOT!!!! And someone said the bat can only follow the elbow. True, and I will remind you that the same elbow that goes down also goes back up. Hopefully this will clarify matters for you, and I consider it a pleasure to be of assistance!