Posted by: rql () on Mon Jul 16 12:29:56 2001

>>> GRC my mistake with the name above and I'm not advocating using the arm to throw the hands I'm advocating a cue if it works for someone to clear the hips and throw the hands,however what is actually happening is the hips open allowing the shoulder turn and then the arms and hands torque yet it feels like the hands are being thrown.Teach the process but in the end a hitter can't focus on the whole process so the beginning and end works for them,even though the middle is essential as well they just have it on auto pilot.I think Bonds idea of hitting a nail with a hammer may be his idea of putting that small sweet spot on the ball,helps his hand eye coordination. <<<
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> Hi RQL
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> I agree it is helpful to have a simple cue that can produce the entire motion we are looking for. But to most coaches, "clear the hips and throw the hands" has come to mean that the batter should "freeze the shoulders" and use the arms to throw the hands.
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> What would you think of the cue "sling the hands?" Which means the batter would keep his hands back and allow shoulder rotation to sling the hands to the zone. This would entail using good lower and upper body rotational mechanics. It should also produce the proper angular hand-path while keeping the arms and hands in a good relationship to the rotating body. --- Your thoughts?
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> Jack Mankin
> Jack,I agree it can be taken out of context by many coaches but these are great hitters and they have learned to incorporate a simple thought to produce the entire swing.I used almost the same words is why I felt strong that it could work as long as it is taught right.Sling the hands would work well also for some.often the way certain words flow through your lips and mind are what makes for a cue,try them both using clear the hips 1st and pass it on to students.A bigger issue here to me though is what is making the hands feel thrown or slung or released.Jack,I feel torque does little without shoulder rotation and I believe shoulder rotation does little without torque.Think of a car that starts out in 1st gear [hips]then smoothly transfers to 2nd[shoulder turn initiated] then jumps into 3rd where it can take off[torque being applied and together they accelerate the bat to another gear.If we say the throwing of ,or slinging of the hands comes from only shoulder rotation then I think we are missing it.Shoulders are essential,but your explanation of what torque is has really opened my eyes to the use of the hands and forearms.Its their relationship and timing with the shoulders that I feel give these hitters the feeling of throwing their hands.