Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Dec 23 12:00:48 2008

Hi Shawn

Below is the post from the Archives where I explain the principles of how the Conservation of Momentum is utilized in accelerating the tippet of a whip. I think the readers will find that my understanding of the principles of how the whip works is basically the same as yours. Where we differ is in how these principles apply to the mechanics of the baseball swing.

I have few problems with how you and others explain how these principles (Conservation of Momentum & segmentation) are utilized in transferring hip and torso rotation up the kinetic chain to generate shoulder rotation. My problem is, and always has always been, with how the whip analogy is used to explain the transfer mechanics for accelerating the bat itself.

Much, if not most, of the batting principles taught to our youth is based on the theory that when the hands are extended linear (A to B, Knob to the Ball, Shortest distance between two points etc.etc.) and slow to a stop, there will be a Whip Effect that will accelerate the bat-head to contact. "This is a false analogy." As demonstrated in the video clip below, there is no angular acceleration of the bat induced from a linear extension and stopping of the hands.

Unlike a whip, a bat is a ridged object. And also unlike a whip, there can be no loop developed in the bat as the hands stop. As you rightly point out, "Without the "loops", there is no way you could multiple the energy transfer" -- Therefore, teaching hitters upper-body transfer mechanics to generate bat speed based on the "Crack of the Whip" extension of the hands has stalled their progress for decades.

Batspeed.com's mission is to explain to players and coaches the principles (CHP & Torque) that actually do generate bat speed.

How a whip works --

CHP vs Linear Hand-Path --

Jack Mankin