Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Fri Apr 23 16:04:25 2004

Hi All,

I remember Jack Mankin--and, his son, Brian--recommending two sources that will lend individuals the necessary hints needed to develop a good rotational swing. Specifically, the two sources were derived from information provided by batspeed.com, and mikeepsteinhitting.com. Both father and son agree that the latter source is geared towards maximizing developmental mechanics; likewise, the former complements the latter by illustrating an efficient way to transfer the power developed in the lower body to the upper body. Both sites, when fused symbiotically, will converge at a common endpoint: creating the greatest amount of bat-head acceleration. We will start with the lower body mechanics first.

Basically, the most important ingredient of the developmental mechanics is hip rotation. In order to maximize the acceleration of both hips, Epstein recommends that the batter land on the ball of the front foot in a balanced position slightly greater than 45 degrees. Then, until the movement becomes natural, the hitter must do the following: 1) lift the back heel off the ground, 2) turn the back knee down and in, 3) turn the back hip around its axis.

The raison d' etre this will cause the hip to rotate around a stationary axis is due to nature of physics: for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction. Simply put, the front heel drop causes the back heel to lift; the front knee's straightening effect--or movement up and away--causes the back knee to lower and turn in; and, finally, the front hip's rotation around and back towards the catcher causes the corresponding movement of the back hip, which is around and towards the pitcher. Since each action, x, causes its inverse, 1/x, the entire axis of rotation remains stationary.

This, in turn, causes the shoulders and hands to rotate, creating a good circular hand path, which, in turn, causes the bat to arc outwards. The bat-head, on the end, is moving the fastest, and attaining the maximum possible velocity at contact. These transfer experience are a great example of Jack's notion that one should "just let the swing happen," which he voiced in the first edition VHS of "The Final Arc."

Seen in view of my argument, every system has its advantages and deficiencies. Understanding Epstein's lower body mechanics are essential for learning developmental mechanics; however, they can only have an effect on the swing if individuals also spend the time to learn Mankin's transfer mechanics, which are essential to completing the kinetic chain.

Sincerely,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. Note: Yes, I said I would wait until next month, but am curious to see if others believe this a good topic to discuss. Hence, I am urging Batspeed.com to post my descriptions. According to grc, the best way to learn is share information with each other, and I cannot think of a wiser comment made.