Let's start with a better definition.
My hitting theory is that the hands and hips drive the swing.
I've developed what I call the "Second Engine"...or...the proper usage of the hands.
The Second Engine implies there is a first engine...the hips.
Using the hands and hips properly to create separation leads to "stretch and fire" mechanics...which is what I call "instantaneous launch".
When the time from the "go" decison to contact is intantaneous....you're on your way.
Timing becomes significantly easier the shorter your swing is. The more instantaneous your swing is, the easier it is to time pitches. You have to do less between deciding to swing and contact.
Any attempt to "swing from your center"....or "turn like heck" does just that. It turns your center.....or it turns the hips like heck.
What doesn't happen from that hitting theory is the barrel doesn't get the benefit at "go". It is delayed. We typically call this bat drag.
Any hitting theory that isn't centered on the hands torquing the barrel at "go" will suffer from bat drag.
Imagine the "pulling on the knob" type hitting instruction. Whether done with arm pull or with shoulder rotation. That is what "flying off the merry go round does". It pulls on the barrel until it arcs to contact. It is simply impossible for that technique to get the barrel to contact as quickly as a handle torque technique.
And it is absurd and intellectually dishonest to suggest it does.
It is absolutely absurd to believe that "just holding on to the **** bat" and "turning like heck" to get the barrel to "fly off the merry go round" is a workable hitting theory.
The time constraints are too small. There is little margin for error.
The barrel must receive energy, rotating it, from the hands torquing it immediately at "go".
No delay can be present. No arm pull first, then the barrels arcs as the hands change direction. No lead shoulder pull on the lead arm which pulls on the knob until it changes direction. These are slack filled and slop filled systems. They are too slow devleoping.
To suggest that "changing the direction of the knob" by the above technique to angularly displace the barrel is laughable. How long do you have? You simply can't wait to change the direction of the knob until the hands are "out front" and away from the armpit area. Simply not possible to have success with this technqiue.
So...IF you have handle torque turning the barrel rearward at "go"....the barrel receives the energy as quickly as possible. The very thing that delivers the energy to the barrel is holding the barrel....the hands. There can be no quicker delivery system. The hands are actually in contact with the handle which turns the barrel. They are as close to the object you need moved as any body part can be. They will automatically move the barrel sooner than any other part can. They win by default. Nothing else is capable of delivering as fast as the hands can deliver.
So....since the very thing that delivers the energy is holding onto the bat....you should be able to launch instantaneously.
An instantaneous launch permits a longer "read" time. A longer "read" time permits better decisions. Better decisions means better hitting.
BUT.....those pitchers are pretty **** good. They get real good the higher up the ladder you go. They are experts at upsetting timing.
So.....the delivery system being close to the barrel isn't enough. You also must use those hands properly....by turning the barrel rearward.
This creates a much larger "window" for decision making. Because, you can actually start the barrel without commiting to the pitch. This start creates early batspeed that is still adjustable and can be redirected without degradation of the swing.
I'm getting windy.
I haven't even gotten to the "tip n rip".
Because I believe there is an underlying foundation that must be understood.
The forearms, through supination and pronation, are what power the hands to turn the barrel rearward. They are assisted by the lateral tilt of the shoulders at "go"....a much more aggressive and powerful move and a much more "sudden" move than shoulder rotation. Shoulder rotation is very weak by comparison. Shoulder rotation is 'slop' filled.
So....if you understand how the forearms, hands and shoulders work to unload the barrel....now we can work on loading it
The tip n rip is one way to do that. I wouldn't say the tip is only for timing reasons. Although it can be a huge help for timing.
IMO, the tip loads the system by creating resistance from which the lower body opens against....creating separtion....that leads to the "stretch and fire" launch.....which obviously has timing advantages as well as power and speed and quickness advantages.
Today's Greats Demonstrating The Above
