Linear vs Rotational Hitting | Key Difference

When debating the "Linear vs Rotational Hitting" controversy, coaches use varying criteria to classify a hitter as either a linear or rotational hitter. Most of the coaches I discussed this topic with contend that if the batter takes a long stride and transfers weight forward to accelerate the bat, they are linear hitters. All no-striders or batters that rotate about a stationary axis, would be considered rotational hitters. At Batspeed.com, we place no value on the length of stride or how much weight is transferred when classifying a hitter as linear or rotational.

Regardless of a good hitter's length of stride (or lack of it), all forward movement of the body flows to a stop before rotating around a stationary axis. This means that all forward movement and weight transfer occurs prior to the swing being initiated. From our study of how energy is transferred in the baseball swing (data from 3000+ charted swings), we could find no correlation between hitting performance and batters' length of stride or how much weight they transferred forward.

Definition of Linear vs Rotational Swing Mechanics

Mike Epstein defines a rotational hitter as a batter that rotates around a stationary axis. However, by our definition, a batter can rotate about a stationary axis and still exhibit linear swing mechanics. Batspeed.com defined the difference between linear and rotational hitting based on the batter's upper-body swing mechanics. The mechanics the batter uses to transfer his/her body's rotational energy into the acceleration of the bat.

The Key Differences

• Linear mechanics are based on the principle of a whip effect to generate bat speed. In other words, the hands extend in a straight (A to B) path.
• Rotational mechanics are based on the principle of the pendulum effect to generate bat speed. In other words, the hands are rotated in a circular path.
• Linear principles - The batter transfers his weight to a firm front side and extends his hands straight (A to B). As the linear advancement of the hands slow to a stop, the energy developed during the forward weight shift is transferred to the bat causing it to whip around - like "The Cracking of a Whip."
• Rotational principles - Regardless of the length of stride, the body's forward movement slows to a stop at heel plate. The body then rotates about a stationary axis. The hands remain back and allow body rotation to rotate the hands into a circular path, which induces angular acceleration of the bat from the Pendulum Effect -- like swinging a ball on a string.