Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Dec 22 11:53:50 2006

>>> I can show you one clip, that bebunks all myths about early uncocking or "physically" trying to create batspeed early in the swing. I will not show the clip because it belongs to Don Slaught. Although this single clip proves and disproves everything talked about of physically trying to generate early batspeed. Where it fails in the early batspeed it must then rely on the linear phase and the double pendulum, late uncocking. <<<

Hi Shawn

When studying clips, I would strongly advise you not to equate the “uncocking” of the wrists with forces that generate early bat speed. There may be some uncocking of the wrist as the bat is accelerated from a more vertical position (cocked forward position) back to the launch position behind the head. However, the wrist becomes fairly straight as the bat reaches launch position.

As the swing is being initiated (initiation of shoulder rotation), wrist action plays little or no role in the early generating of bat speed (accelerating the bat-head rearward to, and through the lag position). The top-hand, wrist and forearm rotate in sync with bat’s rearward acceleration as THT is being applied. As the elbow lowers to the side, the bat, top-hand, wrist and forearm are rotating in sync which allow the wrist to remain straight (not being forced to cock or uncock). Therefore, the wrist remains straight as forces exerted through the top-hand applies a rearward force on the handle.

Note: The “uncocking” of the wrist during the pre-launch torque phase is a low energy mechanic which occurs before shoulder rotation is initiated. Once shoulder rotation is initiated, the forces exerted from the larger muscles of the arms, legs and torso would overwhelm any input the much smaller muscle that control the cocking or uncocking of the wrist could offer.

Jack Mankin