Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Aug 12 10:51:57 2001

>>> Jack, I have read and fully understand your concepts.

But (I think) the application of torque has caused a problem in my swing. I feel like I am breaking down as a hitter.

My teammates are telling me I am uppercutting terribly and that my back shoulder is dropping. I am popping everything up or just striking out.

This has all happened after I have tried to use torque and rotation in my swing and have better rotational mechanics.

Is there a possible reason and solution to this problem? What's wrong? Please help me! <<<

Hi Person

One of the defining characteristics of a great hitter is the early development of bat-head speed in their swing. This is generated from a mechanic I termed, �top-hand-torque� where the batter keeps their bottom-hand fairly stationary near the armpit to serve mainly as a pivot point. The bat-head is then accelerated in an arc back toward the catcher as the batter pulls back with the top-hand.

In my instructional video, I demonstrate how effective the mechanic can be in generating great bat speed. I also show the perils a batter can get into if done incorrectly. When done correctly, (1) the bottom-hand stays back as (2) the top-hand applies a pulling force that accelerates the bat-head into the intended plane of the swing.

Real problems occur when the batter does not adhere to those two main points.
(1). Most hitters have a natural tendency to extend the hands forward at initiation. This will cause many problems with rotational mechanics and is even a graver problem when applying top-hand-torque. For reasons I have explained in the video (and on the discussion board), serious bio-mechanical wrist binds occur that results in a loss of bat speed and forces the bat out of its true contact plane when the wrist is not allowed to rotate within the normal range of movement.

(2). As I mentioned above, the bat-head must be accelerated into the plane of the swing when applying top-hand-torque. Serious bio-mechanical wrist binds also occur when the batter accelerates the bat-head back in a more vertical plane that cuts down through the swing plane. And it should be obvious that if the batter accelerates the bat-head back toward the catcher on a more vertical plane at the start of his swing, he will have a �looping uppercut� in the contact zone.

One of the main reasons I request a frontal view of the batter (from the pitcher�s mound) for Swing Review Analysis is to check the batter�s swing plane at initiation. Regardless of what position or angle the batter holds the bat in his ready position, the bat must be brought inline with the lead-arm at initiation. The lead-arm should always be the plane of the swing from initiation to contact. The batter has a real problem if the bat starts above and then falls below the line (or plane) of the lead-arm.

Person, if you are serious about your swing, you would be ahead of the game by ordering my Instructional Video and a Swing Review.

Jack Mankin