Posted by: O'Really () on Sat Feb 15 11:40:45 2003

Just want to clarify the balance issue.

Zig said:

“A loss of balance occurs when an individual no longer controls controls where they are in time or space with relationship to the ground or an object on which they are standing.”

Which is not the definition of the loss of balance as defined in bio-mechanic, motor learning/control literature/research.

Loss of balance in traditionally defined/accepted to occur when the body’s center of gravity projected on the ground (or whatever surface forms the base of support) moves outside of the body’s base of support “parameter”. Which then requires understanding what constitutes both projection of the body’s center of gravity as well as base of support “parameter”.

As discussed previously dynamic balance is controlled instability (controlled loss of balance).

Using these definitions, as soon as McGuire’s center of gravity (wherever that is) moves outside of his base of support parameter (wherever that is) McGuire loses his balance.

By this definition (and not by Zig’s definition as stated above) hitters CAN lose their balance.

My contention is that according to Zig’s definition,

“no longer controls where they are in time and space”

very few if any major League hitter ever lose their balance.

Because they rarely lose control.

Control is what allows them to move from one position of balance to the next (guides them through their period of loss of balance).

During this time they are what some like to call a state of dynamic balace.

But real issue (understanding what constitutes a good swing and how to teach it) has little to do with the "balance" that so many get caught up with.

The real issue is that players may learn less effective/optimal postural positions and limb movements as part of the swing sequence. They plain and simply learn to swing a bat “poorly”.

But they for the most part in total control during these postural positions of taking the poor swing. Especially Major League players such as McGuire.

And if anything, balance is being used more as “cue” or “escape goat”.

It’s used as a cue in an attempt to deal with the real issue, that being and attempt to deal with inefficient/ineffective postural positions-sequences-limb movements that make up the swing itself.

And used as a “escape goat” by those who attempt to explain something that they do not really understand, that being what constitutes (biomechanics, physiology, etc) a “good” swing . And more importantly how to teach it.

I have also tried to illustrate with the study of static and dynamic balance for various skill level golfers, that the whole issue of balance is in general, misunderstood, over emphasized and last but not least, over “sold”.

Hope this helps to clarify my pervious comments.