Posted by: The Hitting Guru (hitman3527@aol.com) on Sat Jan 14 19:21:34 2006

Jack. Without going into to much repeat of the other comments Lau Sr. preached the following:

1. A balanced workable stance (medium distance away from the plate)
2. Rythm and movement in the stance
3. Weight on the back leg
4. Stride toward the pitcher (or slightly toward the plate (Brett))
5. A slightly downward swing (actually more of an even swing (slight upswing is more prevalent when the count is in the hitters favor in a situation in which the hitter must LIFT the ball. But on a high pitch the downward swing is more of a tomohawk (Brett vs. Gossage in the pine tar game.)
6. Release of the tophand at the point of contact (actually an instance after contact as to propel the direction of the hit.)
7. Hit to all fields

(I left off a few of the absolutes, but the above will serve our purpose for discussion.)

All of the above are evident in George Brett's approach. As you have stated in some of your earlier posts, batspeed has a lot to do with the shoulder as well as the hip forces. And this is especially present in George Brett's approach. It would be interesting to see game footage of Brett in his first couple of years. Then it would be easier to see the adjustments that were made.

In my opinion, Brett had more of a glide type swing somewhat like a Jim Edmonds. The difference of course is that Edmonds does not really stride. Lau preached you stride and then you explode with your hips. Basically meaning you do not step and hit at the same time which would be the guy with the quick hip.

It is interesting to note that Don Mattingly (basically a pull hitter when at his best) who also applied some of Lau's principles was much more rotational in that he kept both hands on the bat and used more of his hands rather than using elements of leverage through the transfer of the weight.

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In one area he spoke of the ills of a powerful top-hand. Then he went on to say in another area that the top-hand drives while the bottom-hand guides.

As you quoted above, the statement by Lau does seem to conflict. What Lau probably meant was the bottom hand pulls (finishes the swing) therefore the tophand does not roll over prematurely. The power hand is the top hand in that (most of) the forces initiated by the hips, stomach, and shoulders take place in the beginning of the swing which flow from the tophand shoulder.