Posted by: Kajun Coach () on Mon Dec 15 14:41:23 2003

>>> Jack,
>
> Do you see this swing differently than I? I see the entire foot coming down together. I do not see emphasis on the ball of the foot at all. His hip rotation is explosive because the lead hip-socket has locked at foot plant. Do you agree? Look it how at finish he's on the heel.
>
> Thing of beauty isn't it. <<<
>
> Hi Coach C
>
> It is inconsistent to say that the body rotates around a stationary axis while at the same time claiming that it is the forward movement of the body against a hip-socket that generates the rotation.
>
> During my study of the baseball swing, I gathered data by charting over 3000 swings. During this time I discovered that while charting video clips, I was not seeing 100 percent of the batter’s (and the bat’s) trajectories. In other words, there were gaps between each frame where the batter’s movements were not shown.
>
> The reason for this is that video works at 30 frames per second (1/30 second each) while the camera’s shudder speed (opening) is normally set at 1/60 sec. This means the shudder is only open 50 percent of the time for each frame. For most motion study work this presents no problem. But for movements of short duration, such as when the wrist starts to roll, or toe touch to heel drop, it may show up in a particular frame or it may not.
>
> For this and other reasons, I find it best not to make decisions based on a single clip. Below is some information regarding how I gathered data for my study.
>
> ##
>
> The study covered nine years and literally thousands of hours. The first two years I spent charting the swings of 185 professional players. I would video tape games shown on television and replay the swings back in frame by frame action. By placing a piece of clear plastic over the screen I was able to trace the movement of each part of the body and the bats reaction for each video frame of the swing. From the time the swing was initiated to contact required from 4 to 6 frames depending on the mechanics of the batter.
>
> When I started the study, I made a sign and hung it over my desk. It read " Have no preconceived theory, report only what you observe." To make sure I correctly identified a players swing mechanics, I charted 15 swings (at good pitches to hit) of each player over a two year period. I then devised a system whereby I could identify players according to the characteristics of their mechanics. I used 39 different mechanical characteristics and developed 12 swing classifications that players fit into. It was truly amazing how close the performance stats were for players with the same classification. There was other very interesting findings I made during the charting phase of the research and I will discuss them with you when those subjects arise.
>
> Jack Mankin
>

I agree with Jack on the issue of forward movement. I personally feel that a hitter should do whatever he feels comfortable with (landing on ball of foot, landing flat-footed, or landing on the heel) as long it doesn't contribute to a side to side or back to front movement. His/her body should not break the imaginary center of axis. With my past years of experience with teaching kids, they have responded more positively to landing on the ball of the foot. It is also easier for them to remember. About 99% of them said that they were more comfortable with it, as apposed to landing any other way. Just my opinion.