Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Apr 18 20:23:22 2001

>>> I have been hitting a lot of toppers since i began leading with my back leg and getting into a good L position with my back arm. Do you have any idea what could be causing something like this? <<<

Hi Scott

Leading with the back-leg and having the back-arm in a good “L” position at contact is a very difficult feat to perform. For the most part, the two types of mechanics are incompatible. Relying too heavily on the back-leg for hip rotation is normally associated with back-arm extension and the slowing of shoulder rotation before contact. In order to have the back-arm maintain the “L” position through contact, shoulder rotation must also continue through contact.

It is the “pulling back” of the knob end of the bat that accelerates (torque) the bat-head to contact before the back-arm extends from the “L” position. This requires the shoulders to continue rotation through contact with the lead-shoulder pulling the lead-arm (and hand) back toward the catcher as the bat approaches contact. --- To produce shoulder rotation that continues through contact, a more balanced approach of using both legs evenly is required. Most hitters with good lead-shoulder pull will have flex in the lead-knee at foot plant and an obvious extension of the lead-leg as the swing progresses.

Jack Mankin