Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Dec 13 19:31:46 2004

Hi Henry & Guy

Most of the kids I have worked with can touch the thumb to the shoulder with little or no bending of the elbow. I do have to bend mine some but find that no problem if it straightens at the start of the swing or remains in that position to contact.

The drill is not to just touch the thumb to the shoulder. The real benefit I see, is the improvement in their swings from keeping the thumb at the shoulder as they initiate their swings. From the results I have seen over the past year, it would be in my instructional video if I had it to do over again.

Guys, I and not saying you must agree with me. If you find having your hands 8 or 9 inches from the shoulder in the launch position works best for you, it is fine with me.

Jack Mankin