Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Wed Jan 15 08:35:47 2003

Look, maybe I'm just missing something here, but I'm just trying to understand where all this linear talk comes from, esp. in regards to Lau? Also, what's the big difference between Lau's book, and William's book, as far as stride and linear movement are concerned? Am I suppose to interpret "stride", "and linear", as being synonymous? If that's the case, then they're both linear thinkers, since they both advocate stride?And, maybe it's just me, but Lau seems to get scuffed around in here a little bit, but not Williams, hands off.Seems to me that no one wants to for one second, be the guy that says a 400 hitter didn't get it right regarding his theories.I've read both books many times, and to me,the main difference between the 2 books, is that, as everyone knows, Williams preached a slight arc in the swing, re. pitch trajectory. But,he himself, was the first to say it created a loop, you had to be quicker with the bat.As we all know re. Lau, he wanted to cover the plate more,"down and thru". Look for the ball away, and react inside.But, the bare bone mechanics of the theories re. stride, are very similar.
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> > I think this site is a wonderful outlet for folks that love the game. I just feel that sometimes it sounds as though an attempt to re-invent the wheel is made often.I just wish sometimes that folks would recognize the positives of Laus book, as opposed to trying to dispell some of it.Is it for everyone? Of course not, but that's the case with anything in life.
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> > Thanks for allowing me to be long winded, and keep up the good work.
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> > John.
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> >>John, Which Lau are you talking about, Sr. or Jr. Mac<<

Both Laus saw/see a lot of great baseball and hitters and study video.You would expect they are describing the same swing as Jack.There is a difference in eras with the growth of linear/small ball in the latter 60's/70's,then Jack's detailed findings in the late 80's/90's that the rotational works better(and what rotational means)and is appearing in more players and in a more refined form.

The Laus are describing a mostly rotational swing(importance of hips,"close limbs facilitate rapid axis rotation",conservation of angular momentum,to name a few)however,they seem to feel the great need to distance themselves from the "rotational" word as a way of distancing themselves from Williams.Excess selling here,if you ask eme,especially the emphasis on "extension" and claiming to be partly responsible for every decent hitter that lets go of the top hand.

If you read the book knowing they are attempting to describe the same basic rotational swing as Jack(3 arcs) a lot of their stuff is very useful.I like the open top hand drill,the stride then swing advice,the description of "top hand dominance" and how to avoid it,and the info on how the lower body feel varies with location.

The biggest thing lacking in Lau is the "transfer mechanics" principles that Jack has described.If you follow the Lau Jr method you get a less quick swing than the Mankin BHT or Epstein/Williams history on the inside of the plate swing with poorer plate coverage.