Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Nov 28 10:55:58 2005

Hi All

Over the past couple months there have been a good number of threads discussing the role of ‘weight shift’ and ‘hip slide’ in the swing. Most of those posting agree that sliding the hips ahead of the lead-shoulder can set the proper axis tilt for the body to rotate around. Many also believe that the linear momentum attained during the ‘weight shift’ in transferred into hip rotation.

Linear swing mechanics is based on the theory that linear momentum is transferred into hip and bat rotation. Linear advocates like Charlie Lau and Professor Adair have long maintained that hip rotation is induced when weight shift is ‘blocked’ by a firm lead-side. Along this same line of thinking, they also maintain that when the hands are extended linearly, there would be a ‘whip” effect that rotates the bat when the extension of the hands slows.

As I demonstrate in the clip below, there is no ‘whip or pendulum’ effect of the bat-head induced from a linear extension of the hands. As you view the clip, visualize the hips (rather than the bat) sliding forward. We can see that there is no rotation of the bat when its linear momentum is blocked and there is little to no hip rotation induced when a linear weight shift in blocked. – As you view the clip ( http://www.batspeed.com/media/WhipHigh.wmv ), think of the swivel handle on the bat as being the lead-hip-joint sliding to a stop.

Jack Mankin