Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Feb 5 03:52:56 2003

>>>In addition to Jack's info and Epstein's description, think of this as the arms forming "the box" to create tight connection (during separation before launch). <<<

Hi Tom

One of the problems I have always had with Epstien's approach is with his principles of transfer mechanics in general and how he describes the use of the lead-arm in particular. He may have changed in the past couple of years, but when I discussed transfer mechanics with him, he maintained that the lead-arm should bend and then extend toward the ball at contact. This he stated would allow the hands a more direct path to the ball (classic linear teaching).

I explained to Mike that findings from my study showed that extending a bent lead-arm straightened the hand-path and applied less torque than maintaining the bend through contact. It should also be pointed out that a wider hand-path from a straighter lead-arm generates greater bat speed. He appeared genuinely surprised that someone would advocate what he called a "looping " swing by straightening the lead-arm early. Mike would not accept my contention that a circular hand-path generated greater bat speed. He went on to say that even if the hand-path I described could develop more speed, it would produce such a long swing that it could not work against good pitching.

Recently I have been told that Mike now teaches a circulat hand-path. So I am not sure if Mike still believes the box should straightened toward contact or not? Hopefully we will meet for another discussion of any differences we may have.

Jack Mankin