Posted by: T Olson () on Tue Jan 30 20:38:03 2001

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> T Olson’s son has very good swing mechanics. But working on keeping a constant and stronger linkage from the lead shoulder to the bat will help him reach his maximum potential. This will be especially helpful as bat weights increase.
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> Jack Mankin
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You were right Jack. I realized today finally what you meant. Tried some swings myself first and bat speed increased.

Had my son straighten the lead arm and also focus on starting the swing with a hard pull down and to the ball. Much faster and seemed to automatically fix some other problems such as dropping the rear shoulders and the bat barrel.

The bent lead arm resulted from cocking the bat behind the head too much. He now keeps the barrel more vertical and just moves his hands back a little (in and back) to ensure a straighter lead arm at initiation.

Extension becomes easier. The focus is start with lead arm pull--finish with back arm push. The rotation is actually being used now.

I don't think he was using his front arm at all before. Now he's using two arms plus rotation.

I was always leary of a straight lead arm because of the casting potential but in reality it makes it easier to swing inside the ball. The key is to start inside. Then swing inside-out unless it's a middle-in pitch and then naturally react by reducing extension.

It's a natural. You now it's funny how often kids have a natural straight arm and front arm pull quite often at a young age. But they have it drilled out of them with focus on keeping a bent arm. Pretty soon they are trying to initiate the swing with the back side and getting into bigger trouble--such as dropping the rear shoulder to drive the ball too early--and uppercuts from dropping an "untorqued" barrel.

Tim
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