Posted by: Doug () on Fri Jun 6 17:33:12 2003

Loading can imply different things to different people. If the weight starts 60/40 some say that is loading. Others say that the movement of the hands back and inward "loads the upper body" to set up separation (torque angle) as the hips open to initiate the swing.
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> Many will argue ( and I have ) that if you start 50/50 then you will lunge a bit. BUT, the opposite turning of the upper body as you stride to hit can somewhat counter balance the stride and limit forward motion if done correctly. Ted Williams said "the cocking of the hips during the stride " was the most important thing in hitting. He didn't talk much about load specifically but his cocking of the hips was probably his load.
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> There are probably several ways to get it done. If your hands are moving up and in (bottom hand controlled)as you stride, their momentum working counter to the hip turn probably causes fairly good separation or torque.
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> I start more 60/40 , move hands up and in , and try to land soft on the toe and drop the heel with little weight transfer. Practicing moving the front foot out balanced to land soft on the toe and letting the heel drop initiate rotation works for me.
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> As a drill, practice feeling a lag between heel drop and hands moving forward. Feel and let the torso torque work for you by starting the lower body earlier and keeping the hands back longer. You can getter a greater sense of what separation is and does.

Joe, Williams had a hitch and hip cock as part of his "load". A load can be many things. If it something to get you started, it can be a little hitch, a little hip cock, it can be starting out 50/50 and going back to 60/40. It can be a little front knee cock, it can be a little shoulder turn. All the above can be considered a load, and you just need to find one or more that is comfortable to you.

Doug