Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat May 18 20:06:55 2002

>>> But remember, he is communicating exactly the same swing that Jack describes here in more detail. Jack's detail that is useful for a certain kind of coach. The rotational swing has been developed over about a hundred seasons in major league ball. It is a single optimal biomechanical solution, or as Jack and Mike might say, the same from launch to contact.

Mike thinks extremely carefully about what he says. These are the core mechanics, in order, as the unfold in the swing <<<

Hi Tom

From what other coaches have indicated on this site regarding Mike’s instructions, I would have agreed that he and I teach basically the same batting principles, just use different terms and language. But the more I read his articles and posts for myself, the more apparent it becomes to me the concepts we teach are very different, especially as it pertains to the principles of our transfer mechanics.

One of the primary components for transferring the body’s rotational energy into bat speed is the rapid decrease in the arc radius of the hand-path (the “hook” effect) just before contact. An increase in the rate of angular displacement in the hand-path produces a greater rate of displacement of the bat (bat speed). This “hook effect” is the result of the rotation of the lead-shoulder (pulling back toward the catcher) that pulls the lead-hand BACK at contact (NOT extending forward). --- Mike stresses a very different concept for developing bat speed. Tom, you stated, “Mike thinks extremely carefully about what he says. These are the core mechanics, in order, as the unfold in the swing.” Below is an excerpt from a post he made on his site – let us read it carefully.

“Having “bent” elbows doesn’t really have as much to do with the plane of the swing as it does being able to correctly stay inside the ball. Another reason is that you want the triceps from BOTH arms to be in position to extend through the ball at contact. If the hitter pre-extends at the launch position, he will only be in position to extend with one arm, not two, diminishing his power potential.”

Therefore, Mike would have both arms bent (or flexed) so they could “EXTEND through the ball” at contact. Extending a flexed lead-elbow at contact will kill the “hook effect” by generating a more sweeping hand-path (lower rate of angular displacement). This greatly reduces the transfer of rotational energy into bat speed. He reinforces his stance on flexing and extending the lead-arm by his description of the “fence drill” and “keep your hands inside the ball.” Mike has stated straightening the lead-arm too soon after initiation will lead to “casting.” That may be true for the extension mechanics he speaks of, but it is not true with good rotational mechanics – if it were true, most of the best hitters would have a big “casting” problem.

So, when Mike and I describe mechanics that produce the “extension” or “pulling back” of the lead-hand, there is not just a difference in the language or terms we use. It is the difference between teaching more “linear or rotational” transfer mechanics.

Jack Mankin