Posted by: DBC () on Thu Sep 8 07:39:57 2005

> >>> Hi Jack and other posters,
>
> Tyler raised a great point in his post:
>
> "SWING LEVEL!!"
>
> I/we hear this term so often and from so many coaches and yes, including many professionals. Ripkin even mentions it in his book but fails to elaborate in describing it or defining it???
>
> Maybe I have missed it here on this site as well so please...
>
> What is suppose to be level during the swing???
> Hips? Bat? Hands? Shoulders? Head?
>
> Is it possible it is just another worn out catch phrase like keep the back elbow up? And if it is why are coaches still using it? <<<
>
> Hi DBC
>
> Read my reply to Tyler below for "SWING LEVEL!!" – An elevated back elbow is not just a “catch phase” with the best hitters. Once you understand the mechanics they use to initiate their swings, you will understand why they have the back-elbow up.
>
> Jack Mankin

Jack,

With due respect I read your response to Tyler and I can't speak for him but I still don't have a clear response as to whether you advocate swinging level and what is level in the swing phase?

You offer mathematical angles, degrees and even a multiple choice questions about Big Mac when all I really want someone to tell me is "what/where" does level come into the swing? It is also possible you answered it but I'm just to simple to decipher it so if Tyler is a kid (which I'll assume he is) I don't know how he got it either. Tyler, if you got it, please let me know!

My interpretation of what you wrote Jack is that it sounds like the bathead is level in reference to home plate at point of contact (POC). As opposed to arcing down as in chopping at POC or visa versa in swing up at POC. Am on track with this? Or am I still out of the ballpark in my analogy?

As far as my reference to the catch phrase "back elbow up", like the oft heard "swing level" from coaches, when pushed to ask for coaching explanations why for these terms, that is when the typical response "because everybody says/knows that" comes in. In other words, these coaches can't give any real explanation as to why either?