Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Oct 30 10:37:16 2005

>>> In the video it says to have top hand torque in your swing. I want to know if you don't have it will it affect your batspeed. I am only 11 and I don't know what the benefits are from tht. I just think that it makes you quicker because just dropping your arms isn't that quick. Thanks if you could clear up tht for me. <<<

Hi Tyler

When the swing is initiated, the rotation of the shoulders also rotate the hands into a circular path, which in turn causes the bat-head to rotate. This means that from its launch position, the bat-head wants to first rotate rearward (back toward the catcher) and then around toward the ball. Therefore, to attain maximum acceleration of the bat-head, the top-hand should add to (rather than oppose) the rearward acceleration of the bat.

Great hitters can generate great bat speed because they use their top-hand to work with shoulder rotation and the CHP to rotate the bat-head (first rearward) rather than restricting that acceleration. To aid rotation in accelerating the bat-head rearward means the top-hand should be pulling rearward during initiation. -- Driving the top-hand forward to start the swing "disconnects" the bat-head from the body's rotational energy and the balance of the swing must rely mainly on the muscles of the arms to bring the bat to contact.

Here is a clip from our "PathFinder" rotational training DVD that explains this process. Go to:

PathFinder THT Demo

Jack Mankin