Who was the first hitter or instructor who suggested the door knocking knuckles, was it during the astroturf days of the 1970's, and what is the science behind the advantages behind this grip.
wannahit, there are two versions of the door-knocking knuckles. When the door-knocking knuckles are perfectly aligned, it can result in some bat head drop. I think this is caused by a less stable platform provided by this grip. It doesn't support the bat weight as well, but mostly it promotes the back elbow getting ahead of the hands. Result, pop-ups!
When the knuckles are offset slightly, with the knuckles lined up between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles, this is more stable, but also keeps the back elbow from leading so much. It keeps the wrists relaxed, allowing more bat-head whip.
Also, this grip allows a better follow-through, or keeps the bat head in the hitting zone longer. If the knuckles of the top hand are over-rotated, causing the front forearm and wrist to be straight, the wrists roll over sooner. Also I can guarantee you will have less accuracy in your hands (bat head) to the ball. Don't palm the bat handle!
Not sure who the first person to suggest the door knocking knuckle grip, but I do know that the placement of the bat in the hands and the grip is very important.
The angle in which the bat handle lays in the top hand is more important than which knuckles line up.
Who was the first hitter or instructor who suggested the door knocking knuckles, was it during the astroturf days of the 1970's, and what is the science behind the advantages behind this grip.
Of course the "V" in the elbows is important. Very important! But so are all other key elements to a good swing. and wannahit didn't ask about the "V". He asked about the knuckles. And the knuckles are a detail, which is important. If not to you, then your students who ever they are, are going to have a hard time hitting well. Mine will!
My Epstein "On Target" dvds that I bought back in 2005 recommend a door knocking knuckle alignment. The reason being is that when the top hand is rotated to align the top hand knuckles to the bottom hand knuckles, the back elbow gets sucked in closer to the side. It makes it easier for kids to get their back elbow slotted correctly which helps to prevent casting. On his old website, Epstein posted a picture of how he gripped the bat, and it looked more like an offset grip. My DD uses an offset grip; or at least she is suppose to As others have pointed out, I'm less concerned with knuckle alignment and more concerned with getting the kids to get the bat out of the palms and more towards the fingers.
About a year ago I took a bunch of swings alternating between holding the bat in my palms and then switching to holding the bat in my fingers. The difference between the two is very noticeable; it's not even close. There is no question in my mind that getting the bat out of the palm results in a better barrel path and harder contact.