Posted by: Shawn () on Fri Dec 26 17:57:16 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.
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/messageboard/19171.html">How a whip works</a> --
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/media/WhipHigh.wmv">CHP vs Linear Hand-Path</a> --
>
> Jack Mankin

Jack,

Somehow one of my posts fell through the cracks.

I read your post and links and I've seen that clip many times.

I didn't get into conservation of momentum in my post because I see that as a given.

I also commented that no one I know explains the hands to the ball as a whip theory. There are instructors in the surrounding area that when I talk to parents and players, what they tell me and demonstrate is largely based on the upperbody. I went on and talked about one player who is playing in the Pac 10 at a major school, who has hit .200 and below in her career. Who was taught by one of these instructors.

I will get back to you later on the subject, and show what is considered the loop in the arms/bat in the swing (basically same thing they described in the golf video).

What I said was nobody I know has been taught to create a whip with hands to the ball, mechanics. What they are taught, or what is almost always created is a muscled up swing (in several ways). Which works fine for HS, and not so good at the college level.

That is one thing about the Team USA players, they may not always have a great swing, but they do not muscle the swing compared to many hitter. Which allows them to be quicker, and make adjustments more easily.

Shawn