Posted by: coach13 (halour@netscape.net) on Fri May 5 08:15:40 2006

> > > Hey Jack, a question about lead arm linkage. My son is 12 and he converted to rotational mechanics about a year ago. I purchased the Final Arch and we practice the drills listed in the tape. He is a very good contact hitter but there are two areas he needs help. First of all, pre-launch and launch are fine, (rotates back,hides the hands,etc.) he straightens the bottom hand and uses THT to a CHP, in the middle of the swing the top had begins to dominate causing him to loose the linkage from the front shoulder. I just can't get him to understand the importance of front shoulder pull and keeping the bottom hand linkage. Any suggestions and what drills might help?
Secondly, I have always told him to try to keep the front side as level as possible on the swing, it seems on the video the batters lower the backside and raise the frontside at contact. Can you clarify,will a level frontside work with rotational mechanics? Thanks for any response.
> >
> >
> > Hi Larry
> > A drill that I use to promote the "feel" of what good shoulder linkage should feel like is using a small hula hoop. Have the player hold it in a palm up palm down grip, and roate the hips and shoulders with no arm movement.
> > hope this helps.
>
> Larry,
>
> Are you having them throw the hula hoop or is around their bodies? I assume with it around their bodies they can't extend their arms so it becomes a lower body drill?
>
> Tom W


Hi Tom

The hula-hoop is not thrown it is held in a stationary position by the arms. The primary "feel" is the impact that the shoulder rotation has on the movement. Since the hands only move because of the explosive movement caused by the shoulder rotation. If proper lower body mechanichs are employed the drill is more benefitial. You can substatute a broom stick concept, for the hula-hoop (I also use a hit'n'stick for this drill.
Ron