Posted by: jack (jackk40@netzero.net) on Mon May 29 15:35:04 2006

> Why do they call it the "hook"? Is the arc really a hook?
> > > > What are the advantages of a hook as opposed to an arc? Is the hook a modified arc? Explain this HOOK, that is a term I've never heard of.
> > > >
> > > > If you use top hand torque and pull with the lead shoulder, do you get an arc or a hook? If the top hand never "overtakes" the bottom hand, then what is hooking - - the bat head or the hands or both?
> > > >
> > > > So, you are trying to get as much bat speed with the tightest swing, and a hook is what gets that? Does Bonds "HOOK"? Who else other than Bonds - - give me 10 names so I can compare; does Sosa, A-Rod, Big Mac, Olerud, Tony Gywn, Larry Walker, Salmon, Griffey, Garciapora; I have video of most of those guys.
> > > >
> > > > Does the hook help more with hitting inside or outside? It seems a tight hook is better for in.
> > > >
> > > > If the lead arm is firm or "barred" as some say, that seems to be o.k.; why do so many people think that is taboo, "Do not bar your front elbow cause you'll be long and never be able to get inside the ball". Is that another fallacy or truism?
> > > >
> > > > One more question - you say max bat speed occurs when the shoulders are finished rotating; when is that suppose to happen - when the lead shoulder is all the way back to the catcher -- where is the bat head when that happens? So many of the weaker hitters I see in college and high school, stop their shoulders and then throw their hands (or as you say, top hand overtakes the bottom) and they lose the use of their body.
> > >
> > >
> > > Popeye/dandyo: you said "So many of the weaker hitters I see in college and high school, stop their shoulders and then throw their hands (or as you say, top hand overtakes the bottom) and they lose the use of their body." What is missing from this statement is WHEN their shoulder rotation is stopped. Answer: before the shoulders are turned 90 degrees (facing the pitcher).
> > >
> > > And this point is exactly what distinguishes the "L" hitters from the "Power V" hitters. Power V hitters stop their shoulders before 90 degrees, then "throw their hands", (extend top arm), and in the meantime bat speed has PROBABLY started to decrease. L hitters keep the shoulders going, letting the ball come to them (full XT/Power V hitters do the opposite, letting the hands go after the ball), and batspeed PROBABLY does not decrease.
> > >
> > > The key point to this difference in L hitters and Power V hitters is what you pointed out: Power V hitters prematurely stop their shoulder rotation. Once shoulder rotation stops, batspeed PROBABLY starts decreasing.
> > >
> > > And to Teacherman: I know you have been struggling with this issue for some time. I think if you explore this concept it will go a long ways in resolving your internal conflicts. Best of luck in your quest.
> >
> > Bart
> >
> > Didn't you say in a previous post that it had been proven that the bat decelerates between the "L" and the power V. Now, it's PROBABLY true. Sorry, but a bunch of PROBABLY answers aren't going to help my quest. Did you see the Arod clips mentioned in another post of mine? What's your explanation for that? I'm still waiting on Jack's explanation. Several people have mentioned proof of the bat decelerating between the "L" and the power V but no one has produced it.
> >
> > I feel like its much more likely, due the "whip" efffect, that there is more batspeed available after the "L" than less. How else can Arod do what he did in those clips. Again, I'm just talking batspeed, not proper swing mechanics. I realize the difficulty of trying to reach solid contact at the power V. I just find no evidence of bat deceleration after the "L".
>
> I don't care what batspeed does between the two. I think the timing solution advantages of being able to wait longer before starting the swing AND being able to minimize the difference between how far out in front you have to hit the inside pitch (farther out in front for V) and how far in you have to let the outside pitch come before contact are obvious. The other key is learning the "final arc/hooking handpath/tightening radius circular handpath as an adjustment to the inside pitch. NOW you can "belly up to the plate" without getting jammed. NOW the outside pitch is closer and in effect, the plate is not as wide for you as it is for those who don't know how to hook.
>
> Mark H.