Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Mar 23 23:46:04 2005

>>> Just ordered your video and read hitting mechanics. Just starting to learn. My son hits like Jim Edmonds. He spreads wide and uses no step. He has trouble rotating but this is the way he feels comfortable. What about having him point lead toe toward pitcher when in stance? <<<

Hi T Prince

There is certainly nothing wrong with using Jim Edmonds’ swing to emulate. However, Jim not only has good rotation, he is a prime example of having the lead-shoulder rotating back toward the catcher at contact. I call this the “105 degree position” because the shoulder rotates a few degrees past the “facing the pitcher” position.

I have nothing against the “no stride” approach, but getting the lead-shoulder to rotate back toward the catcher at contact is so important that he should not spread out so wide that it restricts rotation. Also, having the lead-toe pointing at the pitcher is not the best solution. It would be better if he started with the foot closed and heel off the ground (weight on the ball of the foot). Then the foot can rotate open as the heel lowers to initiate rotation.

Since you have the video and “Training Booklet,” I will place below part of an e-mail where I describe how I, personally, teach rotation.

Jack Mankin
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Mike, to be honest, I have had very few students whose major problem is with their lower body mechanics. I spend a lot of time teaching the batter how to prepare good Launch and Contact positions (all the points shown in your training booklet). I have the batter address the heavy bag with the correct contact position. Then I have them use their legs (mainly the lead-leg) to rotate back to a good launch position (lead-heel up pointing toward third base). Then rotate around a stationary axis back to the contact position. This rotation is activated by the rotation of the lead-heel rotating back toward the catcher as it lowers and the lead-leg begins to extend. Then they rotate back and forth from launch to contact. Once they are fluid with their movements, they can start incorporating their timing step if need be.

I impress upon them that all swing mechanics (lower and upper-body) has one ultimate purpose – to accelerate the bat-head around the swing plane to contact. That is what they should concentrate on – not the legs or hips or accelerating the hands – Think, rotate the heel, rotate the bat-head. -- First in an arc back toward the catcher then around toward the bag. -- No tension, no explosion – loose, smooth, ever accelerating movements.

The student’s bat-head acceleration seem to sync with hip and shoulder rotation better when thinking of accelerating the bat-head rearward than when thinking “hips first” or similar leg type cues. At least this is true for my teaching. --- This is the same method (and thought process) I used to teach John the basics of rotational transfer mechanics he exhibits in the video. John’s main problem was (like many others) his muscles were so tight from years of relying on linear mechanics, it took a long time to loosen him up to swing freely.

Best regards,

Jack Mankin