Posted by: Paul (paul.stein0@gmail.com) on Sat Jul 9 13:28:08 2011

> >>> I agree with you that most (I would say something like 95%) of coaches teach linear mechanics. I know this because every coach I have ever had has advocated a swing in which the bat is level with the plate (rather than level with the ball). I have had several coaches tell me that "the shortest path to the ball is a straight line".
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> Until coaches in the US learn that little to no bat speed is generated by a linear extension of the hands, we will continue to lag behind other countries (with no private instruction) in developing hitters.
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> Now let me ask you a question: I disagree with your idea that shoulder rotation is how the energy gets to the ball. I'm not totally sure if you advocate this, but I've inferred it from the videos you've put up. You also advocate THT and BHT.
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> Isn't shoulder rotation a poor way to transfer energy? THT and BHT rely upon the forearm's action. When I swing consciously using my shoulders, I can't hit the outside pitch. When I swing using THT, I hit the outside pitch with authority. <<<
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> Hi Paul
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> I will address how THT and BHT are applied in another post. For now, let us discuss the importance of the rotation of the shoulders. In your post you state, "I disagree with your idea that shoulder rotation is how the energy gets to the ball. I'm not totally sure if you advocate this, but I've inferred it from the videos you've put up." - My reply --- Yes, I strongly advocate the value of shoulder rotation.
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> I have often written that there is no way for the energy generated from the larger muscles found in the legs and torso to be transferred to the bat except through the rotation of the shoulders. Biomechanical energy is not like magnetic or electrical energy, it cannot jump from one point to another (like from the hips to the hands or bat). As its name implies, Biomechanical Energy must be mechanically transferred from one segment to the next. Some refer to it as the "Kinetic Chain."
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> It is important to note that the final segment, the 'arms, wrists, hands, bat' segment of the chain, is connected at the shoulders - not at the legs, nor the hips or torso. Therefore, a batter can expend a great deal of energy to rotate his hips and torso but if the shoulders remain fixed (or static), the kinetic chain is broken. None of that energy is transferred to power the 'arms, wrists, hands, bat' segment.
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> Rotating the hips and torso while keeping the shoulders closed would be like racing a car's engine while holding the clutch in -- none of that energy reaches the wheels.
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> Jack Mankin

I see. I think doing it consciously is not a great idea. I think if you have proper sequencing and apply THT, the shoulders will naturally rotate, rather than be used as the primary power generator (as they are in PCRW).

Thank you for clearing up my misunderstanding.