Posted by: Coach C () on Sun Oct 19 14:05:05 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.

Thanks Tom......Would you say Mark McGwire used THT, especially in his later years? And if so how would you compare his swing with say....Miguel Tejada or Hank Aaron, who uses seem to be excessive. In your mind is top hand torque..."scap loading"?

Thanks,

Coach C
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