Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Mon Jun 24 15:33:16 2002

>
> -------------------------------------
> there is one more reason why i want them to start with their back elebow up. 10/15 girls on both jv. and var. have had a really bad coach teaching them a terrible swing were their hands start at their hip. maybe i'm just over exagerating their hand placement.
> tom- i have a quick question for you. i understand and know what you are talking about in terms of the "L" but with the elebow either up or down doesn't it happen anyways?

With reference to the back elbow:how/when extension occurs is different between linear and rotational mechanics.For rotational mechanics(as illustrated on Jack's site),the degree of bend in the back elbow stays relatively constant as the big muscles of the torso change the position of the back shoulder complex to get the bat moving so it is turning back toward the catcher before or at launch while the hands become connected to the torso and maintain their position with respect to the shoulder as launch gets underway.The flex stays in the back arm until contact for the inside pitch and comes out before contact but after the palms are flat for the outside location.

In the linear swing,the hips and torso are turned more en bloc(one-piece/lack of separation)then both arms are extended together which stops the torso turn as extension occurs sequentially at the shoulder then elbow then wrist.

In the loopy uppercut backside collapse swing,the back elbow drives into and past the "slot" toward the bellybutton and the front arm comes up away from the torso(chicken wing).The bathead drops and then the back arm extends the handpath out.The hips sway and the backside collapses.Then the arms finish extending,the wrists snap into contact with an uppercut.

Having the hands low is OK if they get the hands get loaded up and in on time before launch.Lots of major leaguers did this back in the old days(pre-mound lowering/astroturf).That's a lot to ask of a kid however.