Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Jan 7 21:09:29 2001

>>> Thanks for the pointers--very much appreciated.

Do you think one-arm lead-arm drills might help that front side action? <<<

Hi Tim

First let me say that you have done a great job of coaching your son. He has one of the better swings I have seen. --- No Tim, the “one-arm lead-arm drills” is just the opposite type of mechanics he needs - especially while bringing the bat to contact. That type of mechanic uses the arm and shoulder muscles to accelerate the hand toward the pitcher. To develop maximum bat speed and pop as he brings the bat-head to contact, is mechanics that will cause the lead hand to be pulling back toward the catcher.

Just before contact, his back forearm and hand is being driven forward (toward the pitcher) by body rotation. Now think of the lead arm as linkage from the front shoulder to the hand. By having the lead shoulder pulling back toward the catcher, he is also pulling the lead hand back. --- So coming into the contact zone, his back arm is driving forward as the lead hand is pulling back. It is this push-pull effect (torque) that really accelerates the bat-head into the ball.

A slide-show in “Write action or torque” shows the action fairly well. Note how the lead shoulder pulls the bat around the back hand.

Jack Mankin