Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Dec 5 01:54:25 2003

>>> I have viewed the mechanics of the swing in the video but I still don't understand stand the sequence of certain parts. You stride to balance on the front toe, you decide to swing, your back elbow is up, what is the first movement? Can You provide the top hand torque wihtout providing force with the hand and just rotate the front side in one smooth motion, or is the part of the swing in a certain sequence which does make it kind comlicated. Also when you rotate the body and shoulders, should you apply and rotation hand movement? Basically I am having problems understanding how to use your lower body with the upper to provide a smooth quick swing in the right sequence.
Thanks! <<<

Hi

In the video, we did not recommend a high elbow for students learning the principle of rotational transfer mechanics. Before a hitter can even think of practicing Top-Hand-Torque, they must be proficient at generating a circular hand-path by keeping the hands back at the shoulder at initiation and allow body rotation to accelerate the hands.

To learn the right sequence for executing the rotational swing, I would suggest practicing the bag drill where John Elliott is working with Aaron and Julie on how to initiate the swing. Note that body rotation was initiated by the rotating and lowering of the lead-heel. Other important points to note are how Julie’s hands stayed back and how rotation brought her hands to contact. – Her back-elbow started down in the slot and stayed back (“L” position) at her side through rotation to contact. – Note how her lead-shoulder rotated to the 105 degree position to produce the “hook” in the hand-path and Bottom-Hand-Torque that brought the bat to contact.

Once you are proficient in exhibiting these rotational mechanics in practice and game situations, and there is no longer a tendency for the hands to extend forward, then we can start working on adding THT to further maximize your hitting performance.

Jack Mankin