Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Aug 3 12:55:30 2008

Hi All

In the video clip below, I discuss the mechanics that accelerates the bat-head rearward in high level swings. As I show, the application of torque at the handle is the main force that generates that acceleration. However, from the time this Board came on-line in 1999, it has been obvious that many coaches felt that “handle torque” was either nonexistent or too technical a term for teaching the swing.

Those coaches that were turned off with the term “torque” went absolutely ballistic when I further broke the term into THT (Top-Hand-Torque) and BHT (Bottom-Hand-Torque). Many of them would not even accept the fact that the bat-head first accelerated rearward much less the concept that the top-hand applied a rearward force during initiation. They had always taught that both hands fired forward during the swing.

When helping a batter reach his potential at the plate, it is important to remember that when both hands are fired forward, little torque is applied until the lead-arm reaches full extension and the back-arm has something to push against. If you do not like the terms THT and BHT, then by all means develop terms you are more comfortable with. But keep in mind that during initiation, it is the top-hand that applies the rearward force and approaching contact it is the bottom-hand.

With that being said, here is the PLT & THT Mechanics video.

John - PLT & THT

Jack Mankin