Posted by: Richard Hunt () on Wed Jun 11 09:46:50 2008

> You know Jack, I've wrestled with this some.
> MY definition of torque is;"two forces working in opposite directions, working on the same object."
> In my opinion, it's very clear/evident, that torque exists when we're observing seperation between the upper and lower halves of the body.
> I am NOT saying that your theory of top hand torque does not exist.
> I am not qualified to prove or, disaprove, the existance of something in my mind ,to be abstract.
> Basically, I don't see how MY definition of torque, is ocurring with the hands.
> But, man to man Jack, lets say that I realize the existance of hand torque,please tell me how it would help me better instruct a nine year old boy regarding swing mechanics?
> Best wishes.
>
> John.

John, I think this is a very good question. I personally buy into the idea of BHT/THT and torque being a force acting on the bat along with CHP. But, I struggle at trying to make it part of my 9 year old's mechanics. Sometimes, I think I'm trying to hard. I have the Final Arc 2 DVD and really liked the instruction on hitting the heavy bag. I took my son out to our plastic trash can and we struck the can starting from the lag position only using hip/shoulder rotation. Then we struck the can starting from the lag position with hip/shoulder rotation and "pushing with the top hand and pulling with the bottom hand". My son was amazed at how much harder he hit the can. I'm not saying this was the best or even a good was to teach it, but it did seem to get the point across. Now, how to get the muscle memory is another question!