Posted by: Bill Y () on Thu Jan 31 06:38:12 2008

> >>> Hip rotation is started in an effort by the batter to remain balanced as he moves his weight toward the front side.There is a certain "sweet spot in time" that an experienced batter feels as his weight moves to the front side.As the backside begins to feel "light" the batter explodes the hips starting the rotation. <<<
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> Hi Bill
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> Welcome to the site. – Your description of hip rotation raises an interesting point. You state, “As the backside begins to feel "light" the batter explodes the hips starting the rotation.” -- One might point out that if the momentum causes the hips to rotate, there should be no need for you the “explode the hips.” Rotation would automatically take place when your forward motion was blocked.
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> However, as you noted, when your backside begin to become light, you needed to explode your hips to start rotation. Bill, I think you will find that you were engaging the muscles in your leg and pelvic region to drive rotation.
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> Jack Mankin

Thanks Jack... have been lurking here for several years.

I don't think forward momentum causes rotation rather it allows it.Lets think for a moment of a dragster ready to explode off of the line.The engine is rev'd and the clutch engaged.The light goes green, the clutch is dumped and the power is now available to the wheels.

A batter is doing pretty much the same thing.When we talk about "weight back" we should in effect be pushing the gas pedal by a constant forward force applied through the ball of the rear foot.The clutch(or really the brake because humans have an automatic transmission:)) is the frontside pushing back against the backside either while stationary or in a slight movement back during what many call the "load".The clutch is dumped (or brake removed whichever you prefer) at the split second the weight from the frontside is no longer pushing back against the backside.It might be the top of a legkick or for many batters just the lifting of the front foot that starts the forward momentum.As the weight moves off of the back foot toward the frontside the backside will begin to feel "light" at which time the hips are thrust(fully engaging the engine) creating the pivot of the rear foot.