Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Jan 2 12:24:51 2003

>>> Jack, When rotating the hips, would you like to see the player rotate at 100% full force as long as he can maintain balance throughout the swing? Or would you say 90%-80% etc. <<<

Hi Mac

When discussing “hip rotation,” it is important to keep in mind that the hips do not have a direct link to the bat. It is “shoulder rotation” (through the arms) that directly drives the generation of bat speed. The hips contribute to bat speed by their contribution to shoulder rotation. --- This is why I have often stated; “Nothing that takes place below the armpits has any impact on bat speed ……..other than its contribution to shoulder rotation.”

Mac, I do not like the terms like “pop the hips”, “explode into the ball” or any segmented type of mechanics that produce tense, jerky movements. It is more constructive to think of the swing as the constant application of power that promotes smooth, powerful and ever-accelerating movements.

An inward-turn and good linkage in the launch position should allow the batter to apply full power from initiation without creating a tense jerky swing.

Jack Mankin