Posted by: Graylon (g_dunc@hotmail.com) on Fri Dec 21 23:31:32 2007

> >>> “IMO the lower body is opening while the upper body is working against it,” <<<
>
> Hi Graylon
>
> I would like to give you another point of view to ponder.
>
> I would say your statement is evident with pitching mechanics. The clip I showed has the pitcher’s hips almost open while he is still resisting shoulder rotation. In fact, I have seen clips that show the pitcher’s hips completely open even before foot plant – one might wonder what powered the hips to open 90 degrees before the blocking of momentum could occur.
>
> However, I do not think your above statements also applies to the batter (Bonds) in the clip. I would say that just the opposite occurred. The batter’s separation between hips and shoulders occurred during the ‘inward turn” to the launch position.
>
> During the inward turn, the batter rotates his shoulders inward 30 or so degrees while at the same time “resisting” hip rotation. Then, as the swing is being initiated, he is not resisting shoulder rotation as the hips start to rotate. The batter’s hip rotation is actually inducing shoulder rotation rather than the batter attempting to restrict it.
>
> Restriction to his shoulder rotation is not because Bonds intentionally held them back. – any restriction to his shoulder rotation is due the load on the shoulders of overcoming the bat’s inertia to acceleration.
>
> Take another look at Bonds in the clip an note how little (if any) his hips rotate before his shoulders start rotating.
>
> Jack Mankin


Jack,

Maybe the phrase " working against" is not the best choice of words. I agree that the turn in does start the seperation. I don't know if I would fully agree with the statement " -any further restriction to his shoulder rotation is due the load on the shoulders of overcoming the bats inertia to acceleration". IMO the momentum created by turning the barrel rearward adds to resistance on the hips and causes you to have a lateral tilt which creates more seperation and ultimately the hips win and the shoulders are ultimately rotated. So I agree that you are not contiuosly (not good at spelling) thinking about resisting with the shoulders but you are setting that up by turning the barrel rearward and tilting laterally.

I do with some of my students use the term feel your upper body against your hips but I use it so they can understand that I want them to feel the seperation. I don't think you can produce a high level swing by rotating your shoulders at the same time you rotate your hips. When the kids I work with rotate there shoulders at the same time as they rotate there hips they tend to drag the bat or they cast there hands away from there body and swing outside in, across the ball.

I would like more feed back about my statement, because I do value your opinion and am willing to listen to any advice.

Thanks,
Graylon