Posted by: grc () on Tue Jun 12 09:03:31 2001

Do we advocate 50/50 percent split between linear and rotational?
> Weight Transfer
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> The is an ongoing argument that some hitters may be more weight transfer than rotational. Linear hitters are thought to hit more singles and doubles. I read somewhere that George Brett was a pure weight transfer hitter, do we think so? If you can see Brett on Esptein's video you can see that he is definitely a combination of the two. Many argue that Frank Thomas is more weight transfer than rotation. He might be, but he also uses rotational power. However, he is not purely weight transfer. So what is he, 60% weight transfer, 40% rotational? or viceversa and if so, doesn't that make Alex Rodriguez the same type. Some like Jim Edmonds would seem to be more of a pure rotational hitter or even Griffey, I would think?
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> A total rotational hitter will have more power than the weight transfer hitter simply because he uses his hips and legs more. However hitters who are rotationally are generally thought of having a longer swing, tend to pull off the ball more and be more inconsistent. So I think that there has to be a ratio of both closer to 50/50 for the batter to be consistant. In the "Blast" video by Jim Schwanke, he believes in stepping forward and driving thru the ball, however the hand path and technique is rotational and you see his hitters rotate and generate torque from the same cues as Epstein advocates and his drills display the same principle as Mankin's in that the swing generates a very easy and powerful swing. That seems to be a good adjustment between power and consistency. What do you all think?
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> Also, I believe that as you approach contact your hands stay close to your body in a rotational hand path till you are getting close to contact point, in front of the plate, there you extend the power V towards the pitcher, maybe add Lau's one hand extension to the equation and end the rotation of your shoulder and the swing.
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> Opinions, thought?
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>roby.....an excellent post for which i will take some time to digest before offering any of my comments...........in the meantime, i think recent remarks made by the distinguished Ray Porco should be analyzed along with yours......i think it's all part of the puzzle....... Mr. Porco said (back in may at that superb site, batspeed.com) "i think watching the head in relation to the feet and the distance the head travels, is the key to defining weight shift and balance.
take 3 hitters (all RH). all start with their heads centrally located between their feet, which are spread apart shoulder width. the first, strides forward 6 inches with the left foot (he does not shift his head PRIOR to lifting his stride leg). as his stride leg goes forward, his head must go forward, but this hitter tries to keep his head centrally located between both feet. the second hitter DOES shift his head (over his right leg - balancing in the process) PRIOR to lifting his stride leg. now he steps. his head does not have to shift (or go forward). the third hitter shifts his head OVER his stride leg upon striding.

call me crazy, but i call the third guy a "lunger", the second guy - "rotational", and the first guy - "weight shift".............................................................................................................................................i hope these remarks will generate more of a discussion than simply two or three people offering comments on only little snippets of the remarks....if there ever was a topic that warrants a thorough, back and forth dialogue with many different participants, this is that topic...........respectfully, grc.....