Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Dec 29 19:21:34 2005

>>> Coach Jack,
Would you agree or disagree to the following statement? If pre-launch torque and bottom hand torque are properly applied, then top hand torque naturally follows.
When you refer to the swing being on auto pilot, is this what you are talking about?

The more balls I hit, the more I realize the the timing of all the mechanics is crucial. When I set my focus on top hand torque coming out of the launch position, I tend swing around and roll over balls. The bat head is released too early. When I set my foucus on bottom hand torque coming out of the launch position, then top hand torque naturally follows (or at least my understanding of what top hand torque is). Just for clarification: top hand torque is applied during rotation, correct? <<<

Hi Andrew

In some cases you may be right. A batter that properly applies PLT during pre-launch and initiates the swing with BHT may naturally apply THT. However, in most cases, I find that batters who cannot correctly apply THT from the normal launch position will only add to their problems by cocking the bat forward out of the swing plane.

Many coaches think that only hitters with great strength can perform a Sheffield like PLT. That is not the case. PLT is not a mechanic preformed under high-energy like THT and BHT. It is more of a finesse move of the arms and wrists that sweeps the bat-head from a more vertical position back behind the head to the launch position before rotation is initiated. I can perform Sheffield’s PLT with just one finger of the top-hand on the bat.

The deciding factor of the swing occurs during initiation when the arms-wrists-hands and bat are subject to the full power of shoulder rotation. -- "A ballistic motion, once initiated, produces trajectories that can only be efficiently changed at its margins." In other words, how a batter sets up his launch position and the forces he applies to the bat during initiation of shoulder rotation will determine the balance of the swing – after initiation, it is on auto pilot.

Andrew, the forces you apply through the hands to accelerate (or rotate) the bat-head during initiation is key to maximizing your batting performance. It will not only influence the bat speed developed, it will also determine the quality of your swing plane as you indicated in your post. As you practice, keep in mind you must apply opposing forces to the handle evenly with the bottom and top hand, When you concentrated mainly on the top-hand, you possibly allowed the lead-arm to cast away from your chest. That can lead to the results you described. I have my student place a playing card under the lead-arm to remind them to apply BHT as they pull back on the handle with the top-hand (THT).

Jack Mankin