Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Mon Nov 3 11:40:11 2003

Hey All,
> I've been thinking how scap loading works in association with THT all weekend and have come to a very similar conclusion as Rich. I think that the scap load puts the body/hands in a position to maximize THT. I don't see it as a way to ensure that THT occurs, but I think that if it is done properly and in conjunction with the lower half, the THT that can result from a swing with a scap load is greater than a swing less scap load. From the position that the scap load puts the body and bat head, angular batspeed "potential" is at its apex. I don't really have science to back this up as with most of my comments...it is simply a feel thing and it makes sense in my mind. Wish I was a biomechanics expert but I'd rather just stay a ballplayer!
>
> Andy
>
> > > Jack,
> > Just read your reply to Tom and have totally rethought my position on the scap load... it does add velocity to the THT, but not to the BHT as i said. scap is doing zero work on the BHT as you said. however if you do not scap load you'll lose a couple of inches of angular batspeed both coming and going... :-) it's all in getting the feel. put all this stuff into the brain to satisfy the logic and reasoning of it all. then go put the pieces together and go for the feel. if you use a radar gun you'll probably discover that getting the feel will correspond to your fastest batspeed. i highly recommend a gun and a bag. you get instant feedback and that satisfies your desire for progress. work on the individual pieces and see what the gun says. the last few sentences i was just talking to myself and reinforcing my teaching methods... you of corse know all this. thanks, rich

This is REALLY good thinking,in my opinion.I would also take the same thinking back even further in the swing,based on the similarity in the loading for hitting and overhand throw.

For pitching/overhand throw,it is EXTREMELY important to break the hands correctly.Correctly not only in terms of timing,but in terms of how the muscles are used/kinesiologically to set up the possibility of the right biomechanics.Traditionally in throwing,this is taught as keeping the fingers on top.Another way to "cue it" is "break the hands with the elbows up and the palms down"(followed by Nyman's "lift and pinch" of symmetric scap load).The key movement here is more specifically the necessity of "Internal rotation" of the arms whcih is ideally symmetrical in throwing.This stabilizes the ball in the socket well and ALSO positions the arm for full external rotation later which is a necessary part of a good(low stress and efficient) arm load later in the throw.If a kid does the typical handbreak you see with beginners-elbows down/palms up ("vertical W" as described by Hodge) there is no way to produce a good throw.

The same is true for hitting(although fortunately hitting isn't stressful in the sense of risk to your elbow/shoulder-maybe your knee).To have good THT,you will have to get in position for it by good back scap loading,BUT even before this,you need to prepare for it by internally rotating the back arm in the shoulder socket(which you do when you internally rotate the back arm and stride leg together to cock the hip).THEN you load the scap,THEN you are in a great position to apply THT before launch as the back elbow starts down to the slot(synchronized external rotation of back arm and lead leg) going into toe touch.

BHT in my opinion is mainly dependent on shape of handpath(degree of hook) on approach to contact later in the swing as distinguished from THT which is a sign/enabler of good load and launch.