Posted by: Jack Mankin (Mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Feb 20 16:19:31 2010

Jack,

I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am to have ordered your DVD's. I've been on your site for a few years, but never really looked that deeply into your theories. Your DVD's were excellent in explaining your theories and also identifying flaws through video analysis. I wish I could say I agree with 100% of what you say, but I'm still skeptical of a few things. Basically you turned my world of hitting upside down and I've been forced to reconstruct what really makes sense.

At this point the biggest paradigm shift I need to make is in the concept of circular hand path (the theory makes sense) and the front side shoulder pull. Both of these concepts are scary to me. I understand them, I see how they can help create batspeed, but if not understood and taught correctly I can see some huge problems with a swing, players creating too big of a CHP (casting) and pulling off the ball.

I would imagine you are familiar with Don Slaught and his Rightview Pro system. I've listened to him, Mike Candrea and Sue Enquist talk about hitting for the past 5-6 years. Much of what they teach is what I've based my teaching. What are your thoughts on their theories?

I wish I had the time to look through all the discussions on the website and watch all your video clips. I find it fascinating. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Jen

Thank you for the kind words and welcome to the site. -- You are not alone with the problems you face in accepting rotational principles. Almost every coach, including me, probably taught the linear concepts that taking the hands in a circular path and rotating the lead-shoulder were flaws in a batter's mechanics.

However, when technology become available that allowed us to study the mechanics of the game's best hitters frame-by- frame, problems with those (and other) linear concepts become apparent. That technology forced many of us to reevaluate what we taught. To paraphrase Mike Epstein, "Are we actually teaching what we see?" -- To make a long story short, the answer is "no."

Video analysis and data from tests ran in Physics Labs convinced me that a completely new "Rotational Swing Model" must be developed to more accurately define the mechanics that efficiently transfers the body's energy into bat speed and a productive swing plane. -- That is what this site is all about.

Jen, I am placing below a couple overhead views of the swing (along with analysis) and a recent post that may address your questions regarding a CHP and lead-shoulder rotation. If you have further questions regarding this information, feel free to ask.

Rose - Keys to CHP

Overhead - CHP & Plate Coverage

New video - Lead-shoulder rotation

Note: I will address my thoughts on Slaught, Candrea and Enquest in a following post on this thread

Jack Mankin