Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Apr 24 00:03:00 2007

>>> Jack (or someone),

Could you please explain how and why your approach differs from that of Mike Epstein?

I know that Epstein gets multiple things wrong, but I would like to hear from you exactly how your ideas and approaches differ. <<<

Hi Chris

There is probably little difference between Mike and I on the lower-body mechanics we teach to generate body rotation. We may have different approaches in how we teach, but we both are seeking the same results – rotation about a stationary axis.

As I explained to George in my post below, Mike and I present very different concepts in our instructional DVDs on how the batter’s mechanics transfer the body’s rotational energy into bat speed. In Mike’s DVD, he teaches his batters to extend a boxed lead-arm (similar to throwing a Frisbe) to contact. This allows the hands to take a more direct path.

It appears it is his belief that there is a “whip-effect” that accelerates the bat when the hands reach full extension. In our DVD, “The Final Arc 2” we use the PathFinder to prove that there is no whip-effect of the bat from a straight extension of the hands. However, there is bat-head acceleration from a “pendulum-effect” when hands take a circular path.

This is why video analysis (over-head view is best) shows that all the best hitter’s mechanics produce a CHP – not a straight extension of the hands. Video analysis also shows that the best hitters do not extend a bent elbow to contact. In order to produce a the most productive CHP, they keep their lead-elbow at a fixed angle as they rotate. – Keeping the lead-elbow at a fixed angle (straight or boxed) during rotation is one of the “7 Key Positions” we look for in our new “Swing Analysis” DVD.

Jack Mankin