Posted by: Brett () on Tue Sep 17 16:39:35 2002

Hi Brett:
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> > > > > > > Jack is currently engaged in the final stages of preparing the New Instructional Video Tape/DVD and is spending his free time on that project. The new tape will contain a well-rounded discussion of batting mechanics, diagrams, and drills to help explain circular hand path, torque and the other concepts. In the DVD format, the video will have various chapters so that you can quickly review the topic of choice.
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> > > > > > > In the meantime, review/study the current Instructional Tape(The Final Arc) and you will see a very clear explanation of bottom (and top) hand torque. (The "Final Arc" Instructional Tape contains a one hour discussion on batting mechanics and it takes time to fully understand all of the content in one viewing, unlike the "See the Ball - Hit the Ball" tapes). Torque is a major factor in producing the mechanics of a great hitter, so your time will be well spend.
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> > > > > > > In addition, you may find the following sections of the website useful:
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> > > > > > > Wrist Action or Torque
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> > > > > > > Mechanics that Generate Bat Speed
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> > > > > > > In the future, we may create a quick link section of prior discussion board posts so that you can review the important discussions regarding all facets of the swing.
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> > > > > > > Brian
> > > > > > > BatSpeed.com
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> > > > > > I understand the general principles of torque. I understand that you say starting the swing towards the catcher will assist in having a circular hand path. What I do NOT understand is what I said in the above posts: (1) What specific technique or cue is used to pull the know of the bat towards the catcher (it is natural for a hitter to start the swing towards the ball, not the catcher) (2) what specifically is the difference in top hand torque and bottom hand torque?
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> > > > > > I do have the tape and answers to these questions are not clear to me. With all the time people have spent at this site recently putting people down, making snide remarks, etc, I am hoping more people will have time to give a serious response. While I appreciate the serious responses of RQL and Hitman, I am sorry, but even with their responses, the tape and the material you sited, I am just not clear. Please, someone help me!!!
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> > > > > Brett, I sense that you are frustrated. I wish I could help you, but unfortunately I too do not have a clue as to what bottom hand torque is & the differences in that and top hand torque. As far as top hand torque is concerned, my interpretation of it is that it is the natural action of uncocking the bat. I am sure the regulars (Major Dan, S. Procito, Frank Jessup, et al can probably explain it to both of us. i have searched the site & viewed the tape several times, and I agree there could/should be some clarification. Come on, guys, what are you waiting for? Maybe if a serious dialog develops there will be less chance for some of the nonsense that has taken place recently.
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> > > > These are the terms Jack came up with to try to describe what he saw happening in clips of MLB's swings. THT talks about the torque between the hands early in the swing (or even prior to shoulder rotation) when the bottom hand is essentially static with repect to the shoulder. BHT refers to the torque between the hands later in the swing when the front shoulder is pulling back toward the catcher, thus pulling the bottom hand back, thus the phrase bht. I too see what Jack is talking about on the clips. My only difference is, I think pre launch tht is less about adding batspeed and more about putting the bat in a place and with some movement that will optimize the hitter's ability to transfer rotational energy and, in the case of an outside pitch, adjust for location.
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> > > > Mark H.
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> > > Mark, thanks for the response. From what I can understand, tht is
> > > indeed a positioning movement to assist in starting hand path in a circular motion,
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> > A bathead positioning movement (hands stay still with respect to the shoulder) which must continue without stopping right into shoulder rotation.
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> > although I still have not heard anyone, including Jack's tape clearly describe how this should happen. Simply saying "start the top hand towards the catcher" is an inadequate description as to how to do it.
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> > Describing these things with words is not easy. Try swinging against a heavy bag positioned so your contact point is about even with your front foot. Experiment with it a little and see if it doesn't become more clear.
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> > > "BHT refers to the torque between the hands later in the swing when the front shoulder is pulling back toward the catcher, thus pulling the bottom hand back, thus the phrase bht". At what point is the "front shoulder is pulling back toward the catcher"?.It seems that the shoulder is pulling toward the PITCHER until the shoulders are perpendicular to the pitcher. Then the shoulder would start turning towards the catcher but at this point contact has been made!
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> > As long as it continues to turn through contact without stopping. Especially on the inside pitch where bht can be used more.
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> > I would appreciate clarification of this point.
> > > Also, what does "thus pulling the bottom hand back" mean? Back from where or back from to what point?
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> > Back against the push from the top hand.
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> > > And some at your site
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> > Jack's site.
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> > have said that certain hitters are bht hitters. Is this to suggest that not all major league hitters are bht hitters? That is, is this to suggest that not all major league hitters have their "front shoulder pulling back toward the catcher" later in the swing?
> > > Or....do the majority at this site really mean some major league hitters are bht-ONLY hitters, suggesting that all hitters use bht but not all hitters use top hand torque?
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> > I think that would be right but I will defer to others on that question.
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> > > Again, all I really want to do is to understand the concept, and as I said before, the info in Jack's materials at this site, his tape, and so far the few resaponses I have seen have not provided much clarification. As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to get the impression that there is no clear definition out there, and that bht means something different from one person to the next. Am I wrong?
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> > It definitely means something specific to Jack. And yes, it takes awhile to "get it". Certainly has for me anyway.
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> > Mark H.
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> Mark-Brett
> Bht is simply the pull of the bottom hand, it is created by the lead pull of the shoulder. Pre-Launch Torque is used for rythym and also a good way to initiate Tht. Although, if the bat comes to a stop while using Pre-Launch Torque, then it is wasted motion. The Purpose of Tht is to accelerate the bathead-usually from a vertical position back into a level position before shoulder rotation starts, so It can act as an extension of the arm. The Pull of the Top hand is not directly back toward the catcher, the pull is backward in a circular motion, For a righthanded batter you should feel the top hand moving in a counter-clockwise motion, and for a lefthanded batter a clockwise motion. But you can't let the bathead come to a stop because no early batspeed will be generated.
> The Hitman

So if lesser hitters use bht only, that is to say that lesser hitters are pulling with the bottom hand only, correct?

And Alfred says A-rod uses a lot of bht, which is to say that A-rod does a lot of pulling with the bottom arm. Question: what specifically can I look for in A-rods swing to be able to tell that A-rod is doing a lot of pulling with the bottom arm?

And you once said Reggie Jackson uses a lot of tht. I have one side and one back view of Jackson. Could you tell me specifically to look for in the clip?

Thank you, Hitman. I get the impression that you play the game (hs or college?) and you are yourself trying to glean all the hitting info out there possible in order to improve your game. Good luck to you.