Posted by: Teacherman () on Tue Dec 10 21:39:10 2002

Why do they call it the "hook"? Is the arc really a hook?
> > > > What are the advantages of a hook as opposed to an arc? Is the hook a modified arc? Explain this HOOK, that is a term I've never heard of.
> > > >
> > > > If you use top hand torque and pull with the lead shoulder, do you get an arc or a hook? If the top hand never "overtakes" the bottom hand, then what is hooking - - the bat head or the hands or both?
> > > >
> > > > So, you are trying to get as much bat speed with the tightest swing, and a hook is what gets that? Does Bonds "HOOK"? Who else other than Bonds - - give me 10 names so I can compare; does Sosa, A-Rod, Big Mac, Olerud, Tony Gywn, Larry Walker, Salmon, Griffey, Garciapora; I have video of most of those guys.
> > > >
> > > > Does the hook help more with hitting inside or outside? It seems a tight hook is better for in.
> > > >
> > > > If the lead arm is firm or "barred" as some say, that seems to be o.k.; why do so many people think that is taboo, "Do not bar your front elbow cause you'll be long and never be able to get inside the ball". Is that another fallacy or truism?
> > > >
> > > > One more question - you say max bat speed occurs when the shoulders are finished rotating; when is that suppose to happen - when the lead shoulder is all the way back to the catcher -- where is the bat head when that happens? So many of the weaker hitters I see in college and high school, stop their shoulders and then throw their hands (or as you say, top hand overtakes the bottom) and they lose the use of their body.
> > >
> > >
> > > Popeye/dandyo: you said "So many of the weaker hitters I see in college and high school, stop their shoulders and then throw their hands (or as you say, top hand overtakes the bottom) and they lose the use of their body." What is missing from this statement is WHEN their shoulder rotation is stopped. Answer: before the shoulders are turned 90 degrees (facing the pitcher).
> > >
> > > And this point is exactly what distinguishes the "L" hitters from the "Power V" hitters. Power V hitters stop their shoulders before 90 degrees, then "throw their hands", (extend top arm), and in the meantime bat speed has PROBABLY started to decrease. L hitters keep the shoulders going, letting the ball come to them (full XT/Power V hitters do the opposite, letting the hands go after the ball), and batspeed PROBABLY does not decrease.
> > >
> > > The key point to this difference in L hitters and Power V hitters is what you pointed out: Power V hitters prematurely stop their shoulder rotation. Once shoulder rotation stops, batspeed PROBABLY starts decreasing.
> > >
> > > And to Teacherman: I know you have been struggling with this issue for some time. I think if you explore this concept it will go a long ways in resolving your internal conflicts. Best of luck in your quest.
> >
> > Bart
> >
> > Didn't you say in a previous post that it had been proven that the bat decelerates between the "L" and the power V. Now, it's PROBABLY true. Sorry, but a bunch of PROBABLY answers aren't going to help my quest. Did you see the Arod clips mentioned in another post of mine? What's your explanation for that? I'm still waiting on Jack's explanation. Several people have mentioned proof of the bat decelerating between the "L" and the power V but no one has produced it.
> >
> > I feel like its much more likely, due the "whip" efffect, that there is more batspeed available after the "L" than less. How else can Arod do what he did in those clips. Again, I'm just talking batspeed, not proper swing mechanics. I realize the difficulty of trying to reach solid contact at the power V. I just find no evidence of bat deceleration after the "L".
> >
> > Teacherman
>
> Teacherman, I think on the one hand Jack has shown that logically batspeed decreases between L & Power V positions, but on the other hand neither he nor any one else has proven this to be the case or not be the case using scientific instruments. I'm afraid that for this discussion "probably" will have to be good enough.

Bart

So....Arod hit those balls 390+ and 404+ feet with a decelerating bat?
I really find that hard to believe! Especially the 390+ ft one because his shoulders never even rotated. He had no "early" batspeed whatsoever. To believe you, I have to believe that he started his swing with his arms only, had no rotation, and then slowed the bat down between the "L" and the power V and hit the ball 390+.....Hmmmmmmm! What walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck is a........chicken?.......Is that what you want me to believe? Can't buy it, sorry!!

What's wrong with the premise that one can generate good batspeed at the "L", or, one can generate adequate batspeed at the "L". Or even one can generate outstanding batspeed at the "L". Say it however you like. BUT, you can also say there just may be more batspeed at the power V. AND, that good hitters sacrifice some batspeed to increase bat quickness by making contact at the "L" instead of the full extension power V.

Teacherman