Posted by: Chuck (jcsherwood8458@sbcglobal.net) on Mon Aug 4 04:38:55 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.
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/media/PLT_THT_Mechanics.wmv">John - PLT & THT</a --
>
>
> Jack Mankin


Hi Jack,

You describe how torque occurs late in the swing when the lead arm reaches full extension and the top hand has something to push against. My question relates to THT and teaching it. Doesn't THT occur via the same mechanism when the lead arm reaches full extension to the rear and the maximum separation of the shoulders and hips is reached at the maximum point of inward turn? At this point the top hand and rear elbow are the only parts left that can move or hinge freely, applying torque to the bat. From a teaching standpoint, is the best way to incorporate THT simply to make sure that the hitter takes the inward turn to the endpoint (obviously with the top hand pulling as you describe well in many places on the site), where THT will occur naturally due to the forces that are in motion. This would seem to be a more wholistic and easier approach, as opposed to telling the hitter that he has to actually do something specific with his top hand and thus in the hitter's mind separating the top hand from the entire body unit. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Chuck