Posted by: Mark H. () on Thu Dec 12 22:32:40 2002

Why do they call it the "hook"? Is the arc really a hook?
> > > > > > What are the advantages of a hook as opposed to an arc? Is the hook a modified arc? Explain this HOOK, that is a term I've never heard of.
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> > > > > > If you use top hand torque and pull with the lead shoulder, do you get an arc or a hook? If the top hand never "overtakes" the bottom hand, then what is hooking - - the bat head or the hands or both?
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> > > > > > So, you are trying to get as much bat speed with the tightest swing, and a hook is what gets that? Does Bonds "HOOK"? Who else other than Bonds - - give me 10 names so I can compare; does Sosa, A-Rod, Big Mac, Olerud, Tony Gywn, Larry Walker, Salmon, Griffey, Garciapora; I have video of most of those guys.
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> > > > > > Does the hook help more with hitting inside or outside? It seems a tight hook is better for in.
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> > > > > > If the lead arm is firm or "barred" as some say, that seems to be o.k.; why do so many people think that is taboo, "Do not bar your front elbow cause you'll be long and never be able to get inside the ball". Is that another fallacy or truism?
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> > > > > > One more question - you say max bat speed occurs when the shoulders are finished rotating; when is that suppose to happen - when the lead shoulder is all the way back to the catcher -- where is the bat head when that happens? So many of the weaker hitters I see in college and high school, stop their shoulders and then throw their hands (or as you say, top hand overtakes the bottom) and they lose the use of their body.
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> > > > > The shape of the handpath is best seen from the overhead shot or a shot perpendicular to the swingplane.It can be thought of as a "figure skater spin effect".Pull the hands in(hook handpath in front of body/reduce radius of handpath)and the torso/body turns faster.Bathead swings out driven by rotation of the torso,not by extension in this case(different from outside pitch).There is more torso turn for this inside/hook the handpath location(as compared to outside location).The bathead actually comes out more "gradually"(in relation to how much the torso rotates) which also keeps the bat angle favorable for keeping the ball fair,not hitting around the ball.
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> > > > > One of the biggest "hookers" of all time was Hank Aaron.This is what has been referred to in his case as "strong wrists" or "quick wrists" or being a "wrist hitter".It wasn't his wrist muscles that gave this appearance,it was the shape of his handpath.
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> > > > And would you agree the shape of the hook is largely accomplished by scapula loading and unloading?
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> > > > Mark H.
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> > > >Iwould say it is accomplished by the pulling back of the lead shoulder near time of contact,don't stop rotation and let hands go out to get ball it well hook foul.
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> > Certainly the torso/shoulders keep turning and the bottom hand as a result keeps pulling back, but watch the USA Today Bonds clip and see if the tightening hand path isn't accomplished larglely with scapula action.
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> > Mark H.
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> Mark-
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> My interpretation of "scap loading" is that it is a stretching of muscles and stabilization/positioning of the shoulder complex that allows for good transfer of energy from the torso through the shoulder to the arm.In throwing,this is accomplished by symmetric arm action in the loading phase("early cock"/torso loading phase).As the throw proceeds the torso/throwing shoulder stays stabilized as the loaded spine and arm whip(long story).

Agreed, except that part way through the throwing motion, I see a more dynamic use of the scapula moreso than just making sure the slack is taken out for good energy transfer.







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> In hitting,the back scap is loaded with a similar pinching action,but the front scap remains in a neutral,not pinched position.

I would have said the front scap starts out in an aggressively unloaded/stretched position to take out the slack achieving a tight connection.






The front scap can then assist in the pull back or shorten the front arm and create hooking by pinching the front scap(horizontal adduction) later in the swing.

That's what I think I finally understand after reading your stuff on the subject for how long now? : ) It took a pitching drill clip for me to finally snap to what the scapula, or shoulder complex, can do. Then I went back to hitting clips.

Mark H.