Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Dec 23 02:02:08 2004

>>> Do you feel that the hands can get loaded by the body shifting to the backside, loading on the back leg. Forming a straight line with the hands, back knee and back foot. From this, hands and back knee start together. Does this fit your style of loading the hands or iniating the swing with your top hand? Just found your web, it is is outstanding! <<<

Hi Tom

Welcome to the site. – Since this is your first post to the board, I do not know if your batting terminology reflects linear or rotational transfer principles. When most of the coaches I have discussed batting principles with use the term “loading the hands” it is in association with linear principles. They would say, “you must take the hands back – to go forward.” I have heard other coaches refer to it as, “walking away from the hands.”

With rotational transfer mechanics, we do not think in terms of “back to forward.” Our thinking is more in “circular” or “arc.” To get the hands to a good launch position, the upper body and shoulders rotate inward (the in-ward turn) instead of shifting straight back. This action rotates the lead-arm (and bottom-hand) 20 to 30 degrees past straightaway. I refer to this as “hiding the hands from the pitcher.”

You stated, “hands and back knee start together.” – One of the primary differences between linear and rotational thinking is how the hands are accelerated to the contact zone. Linear thinking has the top-hand thrusting forward during initiation. This produces a straighter (A to B) type hand-path. With rotational transfer mechanics, the pulling back of the top-hand keeps the hands at the shoulder during initiation and allows shoulder rotation to fling the hands into a circular path.

Tom, as I alluded too earlier, you may already be teaching rotational principles. I am just giving you my impression of the terms you used.

Jack Mankin