Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Jul 23 11:06:13 2008

(Dave)
>>> My son is a sophomore in high school and has developed into a very good hitter. We have incorporated many of the principles that Jack Mankins teaches into his swing. I think my son has developed CHP and BHT very well based on my own video review and based on pictures of his swing at various stages. However, I want to take his swing to the next level by incorporating THT, and I am looking for suggestions on how to teach this mechanic.

An overview of my son’s swing:

My son strides when the pitcher starts his first movement and brings his hands to his back shoulder. Is this action PLT? There is no further rearward action of the bat until he initiates his swing. His stride is finished well before the pitcher throws the ball, essentially, making my son a no stride hitter. Can THT be incorporated if PLT is stopped or does PLT need to seamlessly continue into THT?

We have practiced with the rotational training bat where my son uses his top hand and pulls/throws the bat back to the catcher but it doesn’t appear that this rearward pull has been incorporated into his actual swing. Should I expect to see further rearward movement of the top-hand to the catcher or since my son’s hands are already at his back shoulder is THT primarily facilitated by the lowering of the back elbow to his side?

I would appreciate any insights and tips on how to incorporate and teach THT. Thanks.<<<
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(Coach Dad)
>>> Dave, good question. Thanks , I also have the same question. How much more rearward pull is necessary or was it done at seperation via inward turn? <<<
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(Illinois)

>>> How would one know if they are applying top-hand and/or bottom-hand torque in their swing? <<<
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Hi Gentlemen

You all asked good questions that require more clarification of my terms (THT & BHT).
I would point out that anytime the hands are applying force to the bat handle from opposing directions, torque is being applied that induces angular acceleration of the bat head. The average hitter’s mechanics apply less torque because both their hands are applying a more forward force during the swing (little opposing force). During the initiation phase of the swing, only the best hitter’s top-hand applies a rearward force (opposite to the forward pull of the bottom-hand). Therefore, I defined the mechanic that maximized the bat’s rearward acceleration as Top-Hand Torque (THT) because the top-hand applied the rearward force.

Likewise, I defined the mechanic that maximizes bat-head acceleration to contact as Bottom-Hand Torque (BHT) because in this phase of the swing, it is the bottom-hand that applies the rearward force. – Most batters produce poor to average bat speeds because both hands are applying a more foreword force from initiation to contact.

In conclusion -- Although it requires equal opposing forces from both hands to apply maximum torque, I defined THT and BHT to identify the hand that is applying the rearward force during that phase of the swing.

Jack Mankin