Top hand

It's hard to argue with his results.

I teach the hands as a unit. I want both hands to unload and go through the ball. The wrists should be delayed as long as possible, then both hands rip through. Obviously, the top hand will have a greater impact on the amount of force that is imparted on the ball.

I also don't like to teach initiating the knob with the bottom hand. I teach both hands initiate and both hands rip into the ball. I don't want one side dragging.

I'm not a big believer in teaching top hand, bottom hand separate functions. The drills may be OK (I seldom use them), but the hands should work as a unit.

quote:

Originally posted by baseballpapa:
It's hard to argue with his results.

I teach the hands as a unit. I want both hands to unload and go through the ball. The wrists should be delayed as long as possible, then both hands rip through. Obviously, the top hand will have a greater impact on the amount of force that is imparted on the ball.

I also don't like to teach initiating the knob with the bottom hand. I teach both hands initiate and both hands rip into the ball. I don't want one side dragging.

I'm not a big believer in teaching top hand, bottom hand separate functions. The drills may be OK (I seldom use them), but the hands should work as a unit.

I agree with you. While I may preach "top hand swivel" on here OVER and OVER, I firmly believe the bottom hand/lead arm have a role. An important role. But, it's automatic, if it isn't coached out of a player.

quote:

I'm not a big believer in teaching top hand, bottom hand separate functions. The drills may be OK (I seldom use them), but the hands should work as a unit.

Totally agree. The hands have to work together. Both hands have different functions, to create a solid repetitive swing. The lead hand creates an inside path to guide the sweet spot to the ball, then the top hand takes over to drive the ball.

I really think force is initiated at "GO" by both hands with the bottom hand naturally dominant at that point because the barrel needs to delay. However, I felt it was a reality that all hitters use both hands to initiate the bat into the early stages of strike, or hit.

Then, I believe you should teach both hands rip through the ball and not go to the ball.

I see you coach, measure an exit speed of the ball off of a tee. Then tell the player to use both hands as a unit throughout the swing. The top hand will be dominant through the ball, but there is some rotational potential coming from the bottom hand also.

Here is a caveat. Either approach, telling a player to use the hands as a unit or telling him to concentrate on the top hand at strike can lead to pulling every ball. It doesn't have to, we just have to make sure they understand you do the same for the outside pitch as the middle pitch. The extension point changes and the contact of the ball is deeper on the outside pitch (thus, go with the pitch).

quote:

Originally posted by Low Finish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...bedded&v=TqYpen72hRo

This is really repetitive... anyway, what are your opinions on Barry Bonds' advice?

AS the old saying goes; "Opinions are like a..h...., everybody has one!" Pujols is on record regarding the importance and dominance of the bottom hand. A complete 180 from Bonds perspective. But, I'm sure we have more knowledgeable experts here based upon their vast "teaching" experience?

quote:

Originally posted by Prime9:

quote:

Originally posted by Low Finish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...bedded&v=TqYpen72hRo

This is really repetitive... anyway, what are your opinions on Barry Bonds' advice?

AS the old saying goes; "Opinions are like a..h...., everybody has one!" Pujols is on record regarding the importance and dominance of the bottom hand. A complete 180 from Bonds perspective. But, I'm sure we have more knowledgeable experts here based upon their vast "teaching" experience?

Well, I won't call myself more knowledgeable than either of them. However, I'm still an advocate of the top hand. Let's make a list.

Top hand advocates:
Barry Bonds
Mike Schmidt
Ted Williams
Frank Robinson
Al Kaline

Bottom Hand Advocates:
Tony Gwynn
Charley Lau (Jr. and Sr.)
George Brett (?)
A-Rod
Albert Pujols

With the exception of Pujols and A-Rod, the bottom hand advocates are more "batting average" guys. The top hand advocates are power and average guys. So, could this lead to the following conclusion?

"Top hand for power, bottom hand for contact"

(Just as a disclaimer, I believe both hands work together. It's why I hate handle torque so much.)

quote:

"Top hand for power, bottom hand for contact"

(Just as a disclaimer, I believe both hands work together. It's why I hate handle torque so much.)

I would agree. Brett was much more than an average hitter!

quote:

Originally posted by Prime9:

quote:

"Top hand for power, bottom hand for contact"

(Just as a disclaimer, I believe both hands work together. It's why I hate handle torque so much.)

I would agree. Brett was much more than an average hitter!

George Brett hit between 20-25 home runs per year (on average).

Bonds/Williams/Robinson hit 30-40 per year on average.

Good discussion guys, though in the end (top or bottom hand) as I'm sure you all know, the barrel has got to lag behind the hands. The longer a hitter can do this, the more bat speed he will generate. Whatever cues he needs to use to get him the lag he needs, so be it.

Here, take a look at the lag some of the names thrown around (and others) in this post have generated...





http://content.answcdn.com/mai...etty/7/5/3243875.jpg - Mantle

http://www.ndgbaseball.org/hit...otos/jeter_swing.gif - Jeter

http://www.chrisoleary.com/pro...06_GroundOut_003.jpg - Pujols

http://i.pbase.com/g5/60/64926...0507734.wjh0t59T.jpg - Utley

http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/...240_crop_340x234.jpg - Rose

http://www.yorkblog.com/southpaw/Hammerin.jpg - Aaron

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/...0x234.jpg?1303409682 - A-Rod

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