Posted by: swb (batspeed@integritycorp.com) on Thu May 2 18:02:51 2002

(I'm moving my response up, though it references previous comments by Melvin, Major Dan, Richard, and others.)

I mentioned in a couple of my previous posts that I feel Paul's "Torque" method forfeits development of top-hand torque, in favor of improved translation of hip and shoulder torque into the bathead. A hitter with **otherwise good rotational mechanics** will develop better torque if the bat rides higher that the shoulder, and the top-hand elbow is higher. It's a common sense perspective. If you try to use your top hand to lift the bat off the shoulder in Paul's "Torque" position, you have less mechanical advantage, because your elbow or bat start lower.

I've tried Paul's method myself, and agree with others that it does "feel" like it improves bat speed. I believe the reason it works is, as I think Major Dan has suggested, that it forces a batter to keep his hands back longer. The swing also starts with the bathead closer to the path of the ball. I think that most kids move their hands forward too early due to the dominance of "linear" hitting techniques, i.e. they're taught to do so from an early age. Paul's method defeats that tendency, so it should be a great teaching device.

Someone pointed out that if a hitter keeps his hands back for too long, it'll cause casting (hands too far away from the body). It's a good point that I hadn't considered before, and something to guard against using this technique.

As a hitter becomes more advanced, he/she'll be better off if they get the bat off the shoulder to develop top-hand torque.

One more point that should be recognized: Most kids swings are so messed up that ANY device that aids in development of consistent rotational mechanics is going to improve their hitting. No one wants to teach kids "incorrectly", and I can understand Melvin's strong feelings (I'm fed up with all the conflicting, and obviously wrong theories myself), but getting kids from point zero to perhaps .400, isn't a bad start.

I think Paul's technique is useful, and intend to add it to my "bag of tricks" the next time I train hitters.

Regards.. Scott


PS: Pony league status report: 13 yo daughter got her first hit, plus 2 RBI's in last night's game. Rotational mechanics may get part credit, but 800 swings a week hasn't hurt either. 14 yo son has continued his 4-game hitting streak, hitting about .600, and lifting hits into outfield gaps. They're not "Barry" or "Sammy" yet, but they're sure having more fun!