Posted by: GWB (gwjlbrad@ev1.net) on Fri Apr 30 22:21:53 2004

> I recently purchased "The Final Arc" and have studied the technique. Since we are in the middle of our Spring season, I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can advise me on.
> > Q1: When do I begin to teach this to my 9 yr old that has been trained to hit using the linear style?
> > Q2: On average, how long does it take a kid this age to pick-up rotational hitting?
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> > Background info.. He has played every Spring and Fall season since he was 4yrs old and hits very well and with good power using the linear style. Thanks


I have been working with my 11 year old daughter for just about a month now switching her from linear to rotational. I am doing this before our season starts (we are in Western New York). She has made tremendous progress in four weeks. How fast the kid will pick up on it depends on 1) their motivation to change, 2) how quickly they pick up new skills and 3) how many reps they get in. I have heard it said that it takes 1,500 reps to fully have muscle memory set in. I doubt we are up to 1,500 yet but we are probably pretty close.
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> I used Mike Epstein's method and have my daughter do his torque drill, 1-2-3 drill, I do work with her off the tee and then pitch balls to her. Her hitting has improved tremendously.
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> I am also helping with her recreational team and all the girls (ages 9 & 10 seem to pick up on rotational techniques pretty quick. So, I don't think that it is ever to early to start. Actually, in many respects it seems that learning rotational is easier for kids than linear.
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> Thanks Dave, my son is anxious to start but I know it would be a diaster at this point of the season. I would think that he would need several weeks to really start to feel comfortable. Come Fall season, look out.

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