Posted by: Joe Hernandez (laclave@latinfame.com) on Tue Jun 5 13:06:42 2001

In reading the Charlie Lau school of thought much is said about hitting the ball slightly downwards to create backspin. In your video you don't discuss this at all...what are your thoughts on this and is there a different technique needed to achieve backspin when swinging with rotational mechanics?
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> This is the way it was explained by Epstein on how torque rotational mechanics do this:
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> "You need to regulate the swing through "weathervaning" the lead elbow. If a player is taught correctly to get the plane of his swing on the plane of the pitch, he not only increases his contact area immeasurably, but sets himself up correctly to hit line drives. IF, the player is a little "late," he will hit the bottom-half of the ball which will produce a fly ball with "back spin," a desirable combination; a fly ball with "carry" to it. On the other hand, if he is a little "early," he will hit the top-half of the ball, producing a ground ball with "over spin," another highly favorable combination; a ground ball which gains momentum. Now, if the player times the pitch correctly and hits it dead-on, the stronger hitters can actually stop the rotation of the pitch altgether, producing 100 mph "knuckle balls." I did it for nine years in the big leagues, trying to catch these line drives playing first base. They're murder to catch -- no matter WHERE they're hit. So, if a hitter can match the plane of his swing to the plane of the pitch, lots of great things can happen. He has the best of all possible worlds!"
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> Hope this helps, it sure makes sense to me

Thank you for your reply. You state that "...if a hitter can match the plane of his swing to the plane of the pitch, lots of great things can happen". But should the hitter aim for a slightly higher "plane" in order to compensate for gravity? After all, no matter how level you may feel you are swinging the bat gravity will force the barrel to drop ever so slightly before you have made contact. Perhaps by aiming to the top you end up hitting the center of the ball getting that "knuckle ball" effect you stated.

Forgive me if I am not accurate or make "no sense". I am trying to teach my 8 year old son and other kids of the same age as a coach in our little league. I am not at this level with them but would appreciate getting some input. It seems to me that in using rotational mechanics it is no different, as far as "aimimg" where to hit the ball, than the Charlie Lau school of thought, other than (and apparently very important) not to pull the knob of the bat to the ball.