Posted by: Jimmy () on Mon Jan 8 16:57:24 2007

> > > >
> > > > Hi coach13,
> > > >
> > > > Please read my post responding to Dave P. and you will see that I am not
advising a
> > strictly linear approach. I also think the coach that you used as an example could
have
> > had more offensive production if she hadn't been strictly rotational. Disconnection of
the
> > hands from the body is what gives you more barrel control along with power. This is
why
> > when you use a hammer to a nail (which you need to control with as well), you
disconnect
> > the use of your hands from your body. Your body doesn't move with your arm and the
> > hammer head as you swing it.
> > > >
> > > > I do agree that pitching dominates fast-pitch softball because of the way hitting
is
> > taught. Strictly "linear" swings will never produce the most consistent quality at-bats,
but
> > neither will strictly "rotational" swings. It is a combination of the two that is the most
> > productive in game situations. So who is aking "blanket" statements in this
discussion. I
> > don't think that it's me.
> > > >
> > > > Jimmy
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Jimmy
> > >
> > > Ok you talked me into it I will use blanket statements as you do.
> > >
> > > 1. Why do linear hitters hit into so many double plays?
> > > answer- because the swing plain is more of a downward path and
> > > they generate less bat speed so they have less power.
> > > 2. Why do linear hitters strike out so much?
> > > answer- because they cant catch up with the fast ball.
> > > This requires them to start sooner and makes them
> > > vulnerable to off speed pitches. The swing plain allows
> > > little margin of error for being late or early on a pitch.
> > > 3. Why do linear hitters pop up so much?
> > > answer- they dont match the plane of the ball. The ball is
> > > traveling in a downward path the bat is traveling in a
> > > downward path if they hit it on the bottom of the ball it
> > > pops straight up.
> > > 4. Why do linear hitters rarely get extra base hits.
> > > answer- because they disconnect from the power that the core
> > > muscles procuce.
> > > Jimmy your example of using a hammer with your arm is a good example.
> > > If I wanted to break a rock using a claw hammer how many blows would
> > > have to be delivered to break a rock 12 inches in diameter? VERSES
> > > using a sledge hammer and using the core muscles as the source of power.
> > > In boxing if we compared the knock out ratio between the jab and the hook I
wonder
> > which punch has the best knock out ratio.
> > >
> > > PS I asked the coach if the combination of rotational and linear would have
> > demonstrated better results for her. She said the coaches she knows that have tried
this
> > have had less than desireable results. Well there you have it Jimmy some blanket
> > statements. I have one passing question can you present a linear hitter that has a
career
> > batting average higher than .402 and a career slugging percentage higher than 700?
> >
> > Coach13,
> >
> > Almost every single Major League hitter tries to incorperate "rotational" AND "linear"
> > qualities to thier swing. Do you need all (350 or so) of thier names or should I just
> > mention Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Grady Sizemore, Albert Pujols, Travis
Hafner,
> > and JimThome...need more.
> >
> > Just because you THINK you know what you see doesn't mean you know what the
hitter is
> > actually trying to feel or accomplish by having that feel. Maybe that softball coach you
> > were talking to might understand that statement because it sounds like she has some
> > what of an idea.
> >
> > I know for a fact that Pujols tries to have a feel of a linear action like taking his barrel
> > straight down on top of the baseball to hit it nine miles. Does this mean that it
actually
> > looks like he does this if you watch his film? No. I'm sorry that his numbers aren't as
good
> > as your softball coaches but I'd say they're o.k.
>
> Hi Jimmy
> I agree most players dont actually know or even think about what they are doing as they
try to hit a moving ball, and feel is how players learn (creating neuro sensors). Digital
recordings are so fantastic. I have recorded every player you yave mentioned and down
loaded ther swings into a slow-motion software program. I use these swings for
demonstration and comparison with the players I coach. Did you know that their arms
dont move until after contact. Their body throws their arms and there is no disconnect
until after contact. If the arms move before contact I would consider the swing to be linear.
> Thanks for the discussion
> coach13

Hi Coach,

Thank you for the discussion.

Jimmy