Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Jun 7 13:10:55 2010

>>> jack do all great hitters use plt and when should it be used? <<<

Hi Joe

As Bryce points out below, PLT is a mechanic that uses the arms and wrist to accelerate the bat-head rearward before the batter initiates shoulder rotation. Although many of the best hitters exhibit PLT, it is not an absolute requirement for generating great bat speed. If fact, some of the longest home runs were hit by hitters (Big Mac for one) who does not exhibit PLT.

With that being said, I still find teaching a student the principles of applying PLT very useful. I find practicing the mechanic helps the student recognize two of the main problems keeping them from reaching their potential. (1) While initiating the swing, they only think of accelerating the bat-head forward. (2) They are "Back-Side Dominate" and make inefficient use of the lead-side.

I have them cock the bat-head forward similar to Manny. From that position, they learn the bat-head and the top-hand must first be brought rearward before he can direct his energy forward. They are learning that the top-hand should apply a rearward (rather than forward) force as the swing is being initiated.

How that the student understands the top-hand must apply a rearward force, they can better understand that it is the forward pull of the bottom-hand that pulls the hands around the swing plane and applies the opposing force to maximize torque (THT). Some grasp the concept quickly and learn to apply THT from the normal launch position. However, most have trouble overcoming their tendency of driving the top-hand forward while rotating the bat-head rearward.

I find students do generate more bat speed with PLT. However, greater early bat speed from PLT is of little value if the resulting swing plane was waves that prevent consistent solid contact. I find much flatter planes when THT is applied with the bat launched from the normal position - behind the head in the plane of the lead-arm.

Overall, I find PLT is a good training tool and if performed correctly can help batters realize their potential. Not performed correctly will produce swing planes similar to what we is see with David Wright, A-Rod and other hitters in a batting slump. -- This would also be true for any 'new name' giving to the PLT mechanics I defined in the early 1990s. Below is a post from the Archives that addresses PLT and THT.

Mechanics that accelerate the bat rearward

Jack Mankin