Bat Speed Products

JACK MANKIN'S DISCUSSION BOARD ARCHIVES

1. BASEBALL& SOFTBALL HITTING

A. The Beginning
B. Comparison - Baseball and Softball Hitting
C. Players/coaches/authorities
D. Rotational Hitting Aids/drills/cues
E. Linear vs rotational
F. Video analysis

2. BAT SPEED GENERATION

A. Grip & Wrist
B. Launch Position
C. Weight-shift/momentum
D. Lower-body
E. Rotation/Separation
F. Axis of Rotation

3. ROTATIONAL HITTING MECHANICS

A. Initiation
B. Back-arm & Extension
C. Lead-arm & Casting
D. CHP (Circular-Hand-Path)
E. BHT (Bottom-Hand-Torque)
F. PLT & THT (Pre-Launch & Top-Hand-Torque)
G. Hitting the Outside Pitch
H. Contact/Bat Drag/Follow-through
I. Rotational vs Linear Swing Plane

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1. BASEBALL & SOFTBALL HITTING

A. The Beginning

Linear vs Rotational cues - Like fitting square pegs in round holes

(Video: Mechanics that generate bat speed)

Purpose of allowing opposing views

Do we actually teach what we see?

The start of my study (Video: CHP & Torque)

Style vs. Absolutes in the swing

All swings will be governed by the same physics principles (the "Absolutes)

The "Absolutes" to a good swing

A dads dream come true

Hard work and efficient swing mechanics makes up for smaller size

B. Comparison -baseball and softball hitting

Pitching vs hitting mechanics (Video: Comparisons)

Softball swing mechanics same as baseball swing (Video: Comparisons)

Softball vs baseball hitting

Linear MLB hitters lose in softball game against rotational Slow Pitch hitters

Differences in baseball and golf swing

Golf grip induce wrist- roll prior to contact

Difference, golf & baseball (by Tom Querry)

C. Players/coaches/authorities

Mankin // Epstein differences

Body rotation still requires efficient transfer mechanics to generate bat speed

Epstein torque (lower body) vs Mankin torque (upper body)

Torque that induces hip rotation - Torque applied at the handle

Epstein - lead elbow

Epstein's box - 90 degree elbows vs straighter arm

Yeager vs Mankin's analysis - Conservation of Momentum

Robert Adair's linear weight shift vs Mankin's rotation about a stationary axis

Bat test data and why Robert Adair may have discounted handle torque

(Video: Physics and Acoustics of Baseball & Softball Bats)

Steve Ferroli - Ted Williams & Flattened hands

Daw - Rubber band analogy

(Video)

Yeager's whip theory vs Mankin's rotational model

Jim Lefebvre's book - Axis, front-hip vs spine

(Video: Giambi momentum & lead leg)

Zig Ziegler's - Segment deceleration vs Load on rotation causes the deceleration

Tom Querry - "Whipping action" vs BHT

Hudgens' knob first vs Mankin's CHP

Lau To Jack - Firm front leg discussion

Paul Nyman vs Mankin (1) (Video: Misleading THT)

Paul Nyman vs Mankin (2) (Video: Misleading THT simulation)

Dusty Baker - Throwing the bat-head; Crack-of-the-whip theory

D. Rotational Hitting Aids/drills/cues

One-handed swings - Physics Lab test findings

Motion study computer (1) - Findings verify video analysis

Motion study computer (2)

Staying inside the ball

What does staying inside the ball mean?

Motion study computer (3) - Torque & pressure seniors

The plane & the hose drill

Bullwhip - how it works

There is no "Crack of a whip" with a ridged bat

Power: 50% CHP & 50% Torque - Clarification

Tom Waz - KE= 1/2(MVV) - Bringing JJA up to speed on Physics Calculations

E. Linear vs rotational

Linear vs Rotational - Clarification - What constitutes

Linear = Low load to rotation

Zig Ziegler's segment deceleration vs load induced

Linear vs Rotational - Pendulum effect vs Whip action
Problem with Linear Mechanics

(Video: "Whip Effect" vs CHP & Torque)

CHP & Torque vs Whip Model

Linear vs Rotational mechanics

Yeager vs Mankin (Video: pendulum effect v. whip action)

Linear vs Rotational - Loading (weight on legs) & inward turn

Linear Mechanics and the minus 11 bats

Ted Williams & lighter bats effect on mechanics

Linear & Fastpitch Softball hitting mechanics - College coaches teach rotational??

"Swinging too late"

Bat speed from linear theories relies on nonexistent whipping action

F. Video analysis

Key points I look for in video analysis

Requires more than a single view point

Hips or hands first?

Think of rotating hips or the bat-head rearward?

(Video: Sosa & Strawberry)

THT & Bat drag

Once shoulder rotation is depleted

Bat drag - Without THT, bat rotation does not stay in sync with body rotation

Front view & Side view

Reasons for need of each view

Video Camcorder

Recommended camcorders for video analysis with Batspeed's video analysis software - MotionView

2. ENERGY DEVELOPMENT (LOWER-BODY MECHANICS)

A. Grip & Wrist

The Grip - Tight or loose?

(Video: Bat manufactures test results on the grip)

Wrist droop

Does one "knuckle alignment" work

Grip & elbow to the belly button

The Grip - Bat in fingers or palm

Bonds' Grip (both wrists flex) - straighter wrist & loose grip

Separate the hands = More torque?

Wrist snap? Role of the wrist in the swing

Extension (wrist snap) vs BHT (push/pull of forearms)?

Premature wrist roll - what causes it

B. Launch position

Hands to launch position

Hitters have many different styles in how they arrive at launch position

(Video: Bonds, Griffey, Sosa - Hands to launch)

Is "elbow up" a flawed position?

High back elbow - good position for rotational mechanics, but not for linear

Inward-turn & PLT to THT mechanics

(Video: Bonds/A-Rod side by side)

Lead-arm

(Video: lead arm of 4 good hitters)

Hands go back with stride vs. Hiding the hands

Shrugging lead-shoulder

Lead-shoulder rotates 150+ degrees while torso rotates 90

"Loading defined"

Inward-turn & pre launch torque

(Video: Bonds/A-rod side-by-side of PLT/THT/BHT)

Inward shoulder turn hides the hands from pitcher

Griffey Jr. and David Wright illustrate the importance of the inward turn and hiding the hands(Video)

Problems with hands creeping forward or into pitcher's view

C. Weight-shift/momentum

Pitching vs hitting mechanics - (Video: comparison clips)

Pitcher's forward momentum after foot plant not productive for swinging a bat

Does weight shift = momentum

Weight shift - Truism or fallacy?

Weight swift & the "Conservation of Momentum

Hip rotation attained from linear weight shift is negligible

Momentum & Gyro Action

Weight on back-foot & discussion of p=mv (Video: Bonds & gyro)

Is linear motion transferred into angular momentum??

Theories on forces that drive hip rotation - (Video: Pathfinder demo; CHP vs. extension)

What drives hip and shoulder rotation

Hip rotation

Legs/pelvic momentum - Swivel chair analogy

Welded wheel vs. depleting rotational momentum model

D. Lower-body

3 camps on hip rotation - (Video: Giambi - "Whip effect" disproved)

Role of the hips - 1000 hp engine analogy

Front foot open or closed

Why Mark McGwire's lead-leg may remain bent at contact on out-side pitch

Lead-leg extension

Hip rotation straightens led-leg & George Brett & THT

Body drifting foreword

The cure

Body tilt - Does not necessarily mean weight on back leg

Batter fully rotates, but bat drags. Why?

No THT creates bat drag

Sync body rotation to bat rotation

E. Rotation/separation

Questioning shoulder rotation & CHP

Mechanics that generate bat speed - (Video: Griffey, Bonds & Rose analysis)

Rotation & un-shrugging shoulders

Lead-shoulder shrug discussion

Hitting the inside and outside pitch mechanics

Lead-shoulder rotates 60+ degrees more than back-shoulder - (Video: Pete Rose)

Hip rotation must stay connected

Hip rotation must contribute to shoulder rotation

Kinetic chain; separation; free wheeling

Muscles fire in unison

Is hips leading the hands due to sequential timing?

Load causes separation -- No load = one-piece-swing (no separation)

Role of hips - Does maximum separation equal disconnection?

Separation/unison - Bowling ball analogy

Pulling head out - Premature rotation & no separation

Why not maximum separation - The 3 step swing (1-2-3)

Hips lead shoulders, but then all rotate in unison

At initiation, all the muscles in the legs and torso are contracting in unison

F. Axis of Rotation

Axis tilt vs. shoulder rotation - (Video: Bonds' tilt and rotation)

add Howard clip

4 axis of rotation

Spinning and rotation

Revolving door vs. swinging gate (blocked lead-side) - (Video: Rose hip/shoulder comparison)

Is there a difference between spinning & rotating?

(Video: Giambi's lower-body mechanics)

Weight-shift - Stationary axis vs. back to center

3. ROTATIONAL HITTING MECHANICS

A. Initiation

Focusing on the whole swing - Not just forward movements

Envision the bat's rearward trajectory

Subconscious mind will set up a motor program

Its CHP/THT/BHT - But you can't think your way through the swing

Sync body rotation to bat-head rotation

Think: Rotate heel, rotate bat head

Obtain your optimum contact position

The mind will provide a motor-program to accomplish the body trajectories you envision

Don't "explode" - Think smooth ever accelerating power

B. Back-arm & Extension

"L" position at contact - Few average hitters attain correct position

Elbow to the belly button - not remaining in the "slot"

"L" in back-leg and arm

What drives back-arm -- (would you rather be hit with boxers hook or jab)

(Video: Back arm of 4 good hitters)

C. Lead-arm & Casting

Lead-arm - Should boxed elbow extend hands to contact?

(Video: Lead arm of 4 good hitters & Pete Rose clip)

Defining "Casting & Extending

Role of the lead-arm

4 prong tire wrench analogy - (Video: Rose, Bonds & Burrell)

Is casting bad?

Linear theme: All straight movement is good, all circular is bad

Does barring = casting?

If so, does not "casting" = circular hand path

Barred arm & shrugging lead-shoulder

Role of the lead-arm

"Keep hands inside the ball" = linear cue?

The 'cue' and the resulting hand-path

What cause counterproductive casting

Extending "barred arm" without shoulder rotation

D. CHP - (Circular-Hand-Path)

Pulling off the ball

"Bat drag" = "Pulling off the ball" - (Video: Rose example)

How to practice developing a CHP

PathFinder & Rubber hose drill

One-handed drill for generating a CHP

Hook in hand-path & Tilt-a-whirl analogy

Why hide your hands?

E. BHT - (Bottom-Hand-Torque)

"L" in back-leg and arm

What drives back-arm -- (hit with boxers "hook" or "jab")

(Video: back arm of four good hitters)

Lumberjack analogy - Energy expended at contact

What powers follow-through

Rotational Hitting Mechanics that generate bat speed

Rearward rotation of lead-shoulder

(Video: Hitters Exhibiting Good & Poor BHT)

BHT - Applying torque by pulling the bottom-hand back

(Video: Bonds & Burrell BHT mechanics)

Tony Gwynn - Full Extension vs "L" position at contact

Add BHT to CHP

Lead-shoulder rotation - torque & CHP - (Video: Griffey analysis)

Lead-shoulder shrug

A form of "scap loading" the lead-shoulder

Back-arm "L" position - Percentage of torque applied (BHT to THT)

F. PLT & THT - (Pre-Launch Torque) & (Top-Hand-Torque)

THT applied in 2 Phases

Hitters like Bonds and Sosa accelerate the bat-head rearward in two phases

(Videos: Demonstrating THT w/PathFinder & Sosa - PLT to THT)

Rearward bat-head acceleration

Shawn v. Mankin analysis - (Videos: Sosa & overhead clips)

Bat accelerating from PLT into THT

(Videos: PLT to THT mechanics; THT w/PathFinder; Sosa - PLT to THT; 2 Bonds clips)

THT - same mechanics, different names

THT-- Key to a great swing

THT - Thumb of top-hand raking shoulder

THT & BHT - Do great hitters knowingly apply?

THT - Rotational hitting & Transfer mechanics

When I first saw THT being applied (George Brett)

Video:Bonds and Burrell example

(Video: Overhead of John Elliot)

THT & PLT - Sheffield PLT to THT maintains good linkage to rotation

THT - Keeps lead-arm across chest - "A ballistic motion"

THT mechanics

Shoulder tilt & lowering of the elbow

(Add Video: Ryan Howard's mechanics)

THT & Wrist binds

Mechanics that can cause Wrist binds

THT - Can you see THT being applied

THT & slotting the elbow

(Video: Bonds pre-launch torque mechanics)

PLT - Bat vertical or wrapped

PLT - Bonds mechanics

PLT - Loading or un-loading?

PLT - Discussing advantages of applying PLT

G. HITTING THE Inside AND Outside Pitch

Inside/outside mechanics

(Video: Lead-shoulder rotates 60+ degrees more than back-shoulder)

Mark Teixeira - inside/outside mechanics

(Video: Lead shoulder rotates 150 while back shoulder rotates 90)

Hitting the outside pitch

THT & plate coverage

(Video: Reaching the low outside pitch - John & Rose overhead)

Pulling off the ball

Little power to the opposite field are all indicators of "bat-drag"

(Video: Rose and plate coverage)

Big Mac's front knee

Why lead-leg remains bent during contact

The outside pitch - linear vs rotational mechanics

Outside pitch - BHT mechanics vs PFO

Ron Gant & Matt Williams - Limitations of BHT on outside pitches

H. Contact/Bat Drag/Follow-through

"L" in back-leg and arm

What drives back-arm -- (hit with boxers "hook" or "jab")

Insert video - 4 good hitters' back arm

Pulling off the ball not caused by shoulder rotation

(Video: Pete Rose)

Best hit balls pulled foul

Linear mechanics = Bat drag - (Video: Sosa)

Hitting mechanics & the Follow through

(Video: WCWS hitters contact position)

Big Mac's top-hand release

Conditions that make releasing the top-hand necessary

(Video: Animation - McGwire vs Amateur Hitter)

Lumberjack analogy - Energy expended at contact

I. Linear vs Rotational Swing Plane

Swing plane like a tilted flat disc

Lead-arm plane & the swing plane

A-Rod & The Swing Plane

Discussion of frontal and across the plate view - (Video: comparison clips)

PLT & the swing plane

Wrist-binds & waves in the swing plane

THT & the swing plane

Rearward force must be inline from lead-arm

"Swing down vs swing up at the ball"

(Video: bat up slope to contact)

Swing down - But behind not in front

Looping swing - Collapsing back-side

Causes of plane flaws - Discussion of initiation problems

Perfect Connextion

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