Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Feb 25 12:43:40 2007

>>> Thanks Jack on a post you made about the difference between rotational hitting and linear hitting position.

I think it is coming clearer to me, but again I want to try to keep it simple, drill wise.

Here is my thought for a rotational hitter. What if I was to say just as a swing key, when the upper body starts to rotate, rotate your forward elbow to the ball, and finish naturally? Remember I said rotate forward elbow not throw elbow towards the ball.

All I am saying is look at the action that has to happen to the upper body without thinking about hands, it seems to me that the rear elbow will automatically be brought into position and the hands have no choice but release the bat into the ball. Everything has to follow the front elbow in a rotational swing.

Try a few swings and tell me what happens. I know to some of you more accomplished hitters and coaches you may laugh. I will admit I am stabbing in the dark for a good swing key for a rotational hitter. But the hands are taken fully out of the equation because they will release into the ball due to the swing path of the front elbow in a rotational direction that the hands have to follow because of the rotational force.

Of course I am saying this with all do respect that the lower body is moving correctly.

Like I said I am just a beginner who has heard all kind of drills that not everyone agrees with. This is what intrigued me from the beginning of my quest to find a correct drill/swing thought for hitter that cast there hands after hearing the normal swing drills don't work.


Here is my thought for a rotational hitter. What if I was to say just as a swing key, when the upper body starts to rotate, rotate your forward elbow to the ball, and finish naturally? Remember I said rotate forward elbow not throw elbow towards the ball. <<<

Hi Jerry

You state, “Here is my thought for a rotational hitter. What if I was to say just as a swing key, when the upper body starts to rotate, rotate your forward elbow to the ball, and finish naturally? Remember I said rotate forward elbow not throw elbow towards the ball.”

I would say you are on the right track. It is important to keep in mind that it is shoulder rotation that rotates the lead-elbow around – not the muscles of the arm. The elbow should remain at a fixed angle all the way to contact. The main function of the arm is to provide linkage to the rotating shoulder.

Jerry I would recommend practicing your drill with a heavy bag to stop the bat at contact. That way, you can check out the batter’s contact position – was the back-elbow still back at the side at contact (“L” position) & etc.

Jack Mankin