Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Sun Oct 19 11:25:14 2003

I answered below and have no idea how to move it.Probably
better buried down there anyway.

##

Note: I am bringing the discussion from below to this thread.

Jack Mankin

##

> Coach C-

What you say is very similar to what I "believed" before I read
Jack's info.It was based on how I put together my experience
with what I heard others say about what they "thought" they were
doing.The result was,similar to golf,I was very big on keeping the
wrists cocked as long as possible,even to the point of liking the
old "radial deviation" method of cocking the wrist/bat the other
way to delay wrist uncocking as long as
possible.However,results were not consistently good/
reproducible/predictable. <

Tom

I now think this is all wrong if you want the shortest quickest
rotational/power swing possible.Following my interpretation of
Jack's principlesI think the action of the shoulder/arm/hand "link"
should cock the bat first as the hip cocks(via internal rotation of
back arm as stride leg internally rotates),then as the stride foot
starts out(via scap loading of back scap as back arm gets
maximally lifted and extended/pointing back creating a stable
configuration).Then the hands should uncock the bat steadily via
torque (hands apply force in opposite directions /what Jack calls
"THT") while the hands continue to load back/up/in and the body
continues to load/coil.This is implemented by the back arm
externally rotateing toward the slot at the same time as the lead
leg externally rotates/opens the front foot. This is immediately
followed by the lead arm internally rotating/"working up" a little.All
this continues the body loading going into toe touch.Hip cock is
retained.Then at the right time,this loading is interrupted by the
precisely timed launch sequence(sooner for inside,later for
outside location).The feel of triggering the launch sequence is
via heel drop harnessing a boost(boosting the uncocking of the
hip so that hip turn velocity goes to maximum tromg speed/
momentum) by resisting the ongoing forward motion of the
body'scenter of gravity which must still be behind the weight
bearing/resistance forming portion of the fornt foot.Torquing/
turning of the bat/"THT" continues accelerating for a bit as the
hands stay back/continue to load for a bit until the untwisting/
uncoiling of the loaded spine works its way up to turn the
shoulder/arm hand link forward creating a circular handpath at
"launch".

I like Epstein's description of the feel of starting the launch
sequence as "drop and tilt".This is a phase separate from the
prior loading/getting to toe touch,and also separate from the
later "launch" when the handpath gets going.In this "drop and tilt"
phase, I like to emphasize the importance of associating the feel
of keeping the lead elbow internally rotated as the front scap is
firmed up("squeeze front shoulder") to create tight connection as
the key upper body part of "drop and tilt"."Drop" has to do with the
heel drop starting resistance as the trigger to uncock the
hips."Tilt " has to do with the weight shift assisting the set up of a
stable/non-lunging axis of rotation while separation between the
lower body/hip link and the upper body shoulder/srm/hand link is
still maxing out(no reversal/hand yanking forward yet which is
"launch").Front scap load/lead arm internal rotation("elbow up")
is the all important controller of "tight connection".Once you
initiate the "launch sequence"/drop and tilt and "squeeze"/
connect the front shoulder,I think you do want to fire the bathead
as quickly as possible,but you also must control the shape of
the hand path on the approach which generally may require
some shortening/hooking of the handpath(flex lead arm/
horizontally adduct front scap) but or ,for the most part,retaining
"circularity"/avoiding "extension" via the arms.Lots of words for
trying to shape what should eventually become "automatic".

"Letting it get deep" would be interpreted by me as wait longer
before you trigger launch sequence/interrupt the steadily
ongoing uncocking of the bat as body loading/coiling (and
forward motion of center of gravity) continue.It would not mean try
to make contact further back.As you look at it on video,letting it
get deep will create a longer swing radius and a higher load
situation with less hip turn prior to contact,but you still try to hit
the ball up the middle(not go to off field) and make contact in
front of lead knee or over lead foot with more "L" out of back arm
at contact.

Occasionally,if you are early/ radius not out enough for the
outside location,you can extend both hands while keeping the
lead upper arm squeezed/connected(increase load/swing
radius when bat already almost lined up with front forearm so
bat and arm are almost like one "club shaft").Once the lead arm/
shoulder disconnects,you are in defensive swing territory(lose
acceleration/timing accuracy/compensate by keeping bathead in
zone longer with deceleration and hope something good
happens-also good for some situations).

I still try to keep the wrists cocked until the last possible moment
in golf(hitting driver for example) but I think this really messes up
the desired quick rotational swing in hitting. "Transfer
mechanics" feel very different when you want to shorten and
quicken the rotational swing as much as possible to limit timing
error while retaining plate coverage.

If everyone wasn't confused before,they will be now.

Thanks again to Jack for providing this forum.