Posted by: FiveFrameSwing (lyons.chris@yahoo.com) on Fri Jul 11 07:51:27 2008

> > > Hello,
> > > I was wondering if you guys think that it is more productive and will give you extra time to read the pitch if you have the hands already back in the launch position already in your stance instead of pulling them back to that position during your timing step?
> >
> >
> > You want to obtain lead-arm extension, back towards the catcher, during your forward weight shift.
> >
> > What you are proposing would be less productive. By not gaining adequate early lead-arm extension during your forward weight shift you are not maximizing the stretch reflex. In addition the momentum transfer will not be optimal because body segmentation will not be sufficiently separated.
> >
> > You want to obtain early lead-arm extension during your forward weight shift. You want to "time" achieving your lead-arm extension so that it is fully achieved just as you are ready to initiate your swing. Obtaining early lead-arm extension during your forward weight shift increases swing speed, increases the stretch reflex and increases body segment separation.
>
> What about instead of having the hands all the way back have them further back to have a shorter distance to load the hands before the swing?

The hands generally start near the rear shoulder in one's stance and remain there into one's negative move (load). As one shifts their center of mass forward (stride) the hands are left behind, or shift back, in what some describe as a motion similar to preparing to throw with the top hand. This motion of preparing to throw with the top hand is important as it serves to load the hands/barrel ... those that wish to give a bat barrel some 'life' will use this portion of their swing to allow the barrel to tip back towards the pitcher.

I don't know how to post a video clip on this message board, so instead I'll provide some links. View them and observe where the hands start, where they are after the negative move, and where they are after the positive move when the batter is in their ready position.

http://groundup.hittingillustrated.com/hitting/LeadArmExtensionBackToCatcher/Bonds_HandsBackInStride.gif

http://groundup.hittingillustrated.com/hitting/LeadArmExtensionBackToCatcher/6ss3hbc.gif

http://groundup.hittingillustrated.com/hitting/LeadArmExtensionBackToCatcher/tejada.gif