Posted by: rql () on Fri Oct 31 19:28:39 2003

For a good explanation on the difference between scapula loading and counter rotation see the following
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> > http://www.setpro.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=34;t=000046
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> As seen in this thread I have a slightly different take from Paul Nyman on this overall issue.Unfortunately this gets into the guru wars so be careful (I am by no means a guru,but I aggravate them quite well on occasion.I may be dangerous,but I don't claim to be an expert.Reader beware.Insert your desired disclaimer here).
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> I believe more than scap loading is necessary to connect well and prevent dragging.I also believe some degree of "counter rotation" of the TORSO is necessary,because without SOME (not a lot) you can not rotate around around a stable axis effectively.I do NOT,however think you define "counter rotation" as turning the SHOULDERS back via twisting the top of the spine significantly back.You do have to turn/coil the lower/mid TORSO some.After an overall SLIGHT inward turn,the torso has to turn/continue back a little as the stride leg goes out and the hips stretch open.This can/should be done with a minimum of displacement,and certainly the head should not have to turn back.It(torso turns back as hips open-"counter-rotation") is observable in my experience of many hitters with high resolution video.It is easy to/should be "felt" as "winding the rubber band"(cue associated with Epstein which irritates some gurus)as the scap loads during the early forward portion of the stride.It is seen well on the guerrero clip.Hank Aaron said "you have to coil,but don't take a backswing"
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> In addition to loading the back scap and keeping it loaded, as the back elbow drops primarily via external rotation (synchronized with external rotation of the stride leg for good coiling/loading)the back arm also needs to be stable in the shoulder socket.The arm(not scap) should not adduct or flex,or there will be disconnection and bat dragging as the back elbow slides out of the slot forward to the belly button.
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> The sequence requires the synchronized back arm and lead leg external rotation immediately following scap load/TORSO counterrotation, and then well coordinated elevation of the lead elbow VIA internal rotation to create a stable shoulder/arm/hand ("box") configuration to prevent dragging with launch.This phase between torso counter-rotation/scap load on the one hand and "drop and tilt" on the other creates the first part of "prelaunch" tht which keeps the hands back,keeps the body loading,but without any further/excessive counter-rotation/backswing.
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> This is the same sequence for the most part up to this point as in the overhand throw.Some scap load/counter-rotation is followed by "stepover" and uncocking of the hip/arching of the back before the torso turns or the head comes forward as it does in throwing(head forward is an additional phase in throwing,head stays back in hitting).

Tom,IF I had to sequence what I see,I would say that scap loading is pulling the rear elbow back towards the dugout and as it is doing this it is not relaxing rather stretching the lead scap.This is where the old phrase keep your front shoulder in may have came from.You can see this very well with the Guerro clip how the letters disappear on his back.Now I think that the counterrotation occurs in the lower mid section instead of the chest and it is caused by hip cock not from trying to turn the upper body itself.it appears that as the lead toe begins to open the midsection wants to come open with it but scap load is just finishing up pulling back before elbow comes down.This is where the completely connected and stretched torso is greatest.We have to be careful with the Guerreo clip because he has 1 of those body styles that can really stretch more than many others like[Griffey]but I believe we can also see more through his exaggeration of the coil that is tougher to see in other more subtle hitters that do the same thing but to lesser degrees.