Posted by: Graylon (g_dunc@hotmail.com) on Mon Nov 26 09:40:05 2007

> I believe in the "running start". But it doesn't start with the front side, it starts with the back side.
>
> Right as the front foot is landing the front heel is going down. The rear heel is going up at that same time. The same time the rear heel is rising, the back side of the hitter is beginning the "running start".
>
> There is less adjustment and control when the front side opens first. Not to mention where the strength of the swing is at. I want my strength going into my swing not in front of it.
>
> No brute force in my description. Smooth rythm starting from the back side.

Jimmy,

I never said the "running start" began with the front side and if I did I miss spoke. What I believe I said is the front hip opens or clears prior to the initiation of the shoulders.

The "running start" is the torquing of the barrel rearward. Which done with the front hip opening helps increase the stretch in the torso.

I agree with you that as the front foot is landing the front heel is going down and the rear heel is going up. The lowering of the front heel allows for the front hip to open or clear. The back heel is driven off the ground by the back knee driving forward towards the front knee. If you do not open or clear the front hip prior to the back side driving forward you will end up pushing your back hip around your front hip.

As this happens the rear elbow slots, the front elbow works up, sending the barrel rearward, creating a stretch in the torso which launches the barrel forward.

Now I have heard different arguments as to do you lateraly tilt or do you rotate. I think I have heard Teacherman say you lateraly tilt and I believe Jack has mentioned the tilt of the shoulders appears to happen because of the slotting of the elbow which causes the scapula(?) to lower. But if your lower body is preparing to handle the force of the rear elbow slotting and the barrel being sent rearward you will create a "stretch and fire" type of feeling.

Now when I say the barrel being sent "rearward", I don't neccessarily mean out in front of your body being sent straight back at the catcher (I know I have in the past said "sent reaward towards the catcher" but this was said to simplify the explanation). The slotting of the rear elbow and raising of the front elbow and the shoulders turned slightly in, the barrel is sent rearward next to the back shoulder using THT. "Stretch and Fire"

Jimmy, I do think some times we do things or teach things differently and get the same results. We also in are heads are seeing the same thing and agree on the same things but may describe them differently. For instance you see the back side opening the front hip and I see the front hip opening or clearing slightly prior to the back hip powering forward. Either way the front hip opens and the back hip powers forward. Different approach same result.