Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Feb 28 12:08:18 2007

Jack-

I do not think the THT at launch is primarily by lead shoulder turn.

I think it is primarily due to internal rotation of the front arm getting stable in the front shoulder socket.

Lau takes care to describe this as "pull knob with lead ARM NOT Shoulder".

I think the "pre-launch THT" is primarily from the external; rotation of the back arm which is the same action as loading for overhand throw where you "keep the back elbow up" and while doing this, start to bring the throwing hand up which happens at the same time that the stride leg/thigh starts to turn over (back arm and front leg are EXternally rotating together in both throwing and hitting).

Immediately after this, the lead arm begins internal rotation to accelerate the handle torque that was started primarily by the back arm/topt hand.

NEXT, the shoulders TILT as the torqing is underway, And at this point forearm twist becomes very improtant as pointed out by Donny Buster (who stresses preparing for this by geting the back forearm well pronated earlier in the swing) and by richard/teacherman who describes the swivel.

This is similar to your description of the back forearm turning as the back forearm can then come down/get away from the back shoulder much less/much later as it does in great swings.

so the universal sequence I see includes:

prelaunch tht - primarily back arm external rotation, followed by lead arm internal rotation taking over, (body coiling/winding rubber band/synched running staert/head start of bat torquing and hips oepning while shoulders and hands stay back)THEN

tht at launch - primarily internal rotation of lead arm with shoulder tilt and forearm twist then getting involved (shoulders more tilting/resisting/assisting in optimizing torso coil and setting up final swing plane orientation), THEN

bathead launch by full connection and CHP or tightening handpath radius until contact, uncoiling of torso turning shoulders and more distal links (blended turn of shoulders/arms as opposed to significant sequential turning of shoulders then arms,ect) to contact.

Lead arm needs to stay firmly internally rotated in lead shoulder socket until contact, but front scap can move by unshrug/shrug and some flexion extension in elbow can occur without disconnection depending on location.

Keeping the lead arm/humerus firmly internally rotated is what creates the type of release of bathead at contact that differs from most golf swings where the arms and forearms are externally rotated/supinated (in regard to LEAD arn forearm) some to square the clubface at contact.
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Hi Tom

For me to understand your post, I need to know what “Internal” and “external” rotation of the lead-arm means. Example : Does “external” rotation of the arm causes the wrist to roll? Why would “internal” rotation not cause the wrist to roll? What forces does “internal” rotation of the lead-arm apply to the bat when the lead-shoulder is stationary?

Jack Mankin