Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Nov 29 22:06:13 2002

>>> I fully understand your tophand torque theory. Whether I totally agree with it is another issue. But lets assume it is correct and that the added dimension of pulling back toward the catcher creates more & earlier batspeed. Earlier batspeed is good, no doubt about it. But this entire discussion started about Paul Nyman's statement that "from what he knows about biomechanics the greatest batspeed is reached at full extension." What is your opinion about where the greatest batspeed is generated? I don't see how these two statements are mutually exclusive. You believe you can start earlier batspeed with tht. Ok, fine. Where is the MAXIMUM batspeed generated? And if it's not at extension, what slows it down prior to extension? Teacherman <<<

Hi Teacherman

One of the first concepts I teach students is that in order for them to hit the ball hard they must generate maximum bat speed by contact (bat perpendicular to the ball’s flight). I stress that they must learn that retaining energy to power the bat through the follow-through is energy better used earlier in the swing. This is one reason I find using a heavy bag so productive in developing new swing mechanics. The student soon learns that continuing to drive the back-arm after contact is pointless. --- Below is more information I wrote on this subject.

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The concepts surrounding the "follow-through" phase of the swing have long been misunderstood. Most coaches were themselves taught to continue driving through the ball after contact. Driving through the ball was supposed to add power to the swing. Thus, it is understandable why so many coaches would adopt drills that would require their batters to continue "pushing" the bat through the follow-through phase, such as hitting deflated balls.

For example, to propel a deflated basketball forward requires the basketball to remain in contact with the bat for an extended period of time. The bat would stay in contact with the deflated ball for eight or more inches after the initial contact. Therefore, swinging at deflated basketballs would definitely require the batter to continue driving toward full extension of the arms. But this is not useful when hitting a baseball or softball.

Studies have shown that the baseball is only in contact with the bat for approximately 1/2000 of a second. During this split second, the bat moves forward less than 3/4 of an inch (while in contact with the ball). Therefore, any energy applied to the bat after contact has no effect on the ball's flight. In fact, it is simply wasted energy. A batter with good transfer mechanics will deplete all energy for generating bat speed prior to or by contact.

The purpose of using a heavy bag is to absorb the bat's energy at the contact point. After just a little practice, the batter will learn that exerting force to the bat after contact is pointless. This will help train the batter to develop transfer mechanics (and timing) that will expend all energy prior to or by contact. The batter should deplete all rotational and torque energies as the bat-head reaches maximum velocity and contact. Stated another way, all energy will have been sucked out of the "system" as maximum bat speed is reached.

Therefore, after all of the body's energy has been transferred into bat speed, the body and limbs are at rest. Hip and shoulder rotation is complete - the arms become relaxed, and there is no energies being applied to the bat. The bat's energy has been expended into the heavy bag, all momentum has ceased, and the muscles are relaxed and motionless. Thus, you now have what amounts to "a frozen video frame" of the batter's mechanics at contact.

This is not what you will observe with less efficient transfer mechanics. Improper initiation of the swing (thrusting the top-hand forward) quickly places the batter behind the power curve (bat-head dragging) and he/she is left with trying to develop bat speed after the bat reaches the optimum contact point. Striking the heavy bag with tense arms that are still in the driving forward mode, can cause discomfort to the hands and wrist, and should be avoided. Therefore, take it easy until the batter's transfer mechanics improve so that the batter is not applying as much force after contact.

As you can see, the mechanics developed while swinging at deflated basketballs are quite different than those used with heavy bag drills. A batter's progress will be slowed when hitting an object, which requires the batter to reserve energy for a powerful follow-through. In a good swing, the bat's momentum will pull the body and limbs through the coast-out phase of the swing, not from reserved energy. A heavy bag, used correctly, can assist you in learning rotational mechanics and generating early bat speed.

Jack Mankin