Posted by: Coach C () on Tue Dec 23 12:59:01 2003

As it is in golf:
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> > Linear: Head past center during the swing and at contact.
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> > Rotational: Head at center or behind center at contact.
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> > In other words move head past center at foot plant and you are not pure rotational. Even great hitters become linear (head past center)when they are fooled.
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> > 100% of amateurs use the lower half incorrectly to drive rotation. Rotation is the art of sitting or standing between the legs (never on) while we swing. This is also how the head stays quiet during the stride and swing. The upper body must lead the swing (although video will show the hips lead in all swings) with loose limbs (shoulders/arms/hands)and never with the front side pulling, which is what happens when the lower body try's to rotate. As I've mentioned before in previous posts I can stride 15 inches (ala Hank Aaron) and be completed rotational if I follow the not so simple rule of staying behind my center. Today's hitters have figured out that with a little stride, power is maintained and head movement is extremely minimal so they've adapted (in part to better pitching I'm sure).
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> > I do not agree that A-rod is linear with his upper body at all, because he normally hits between his legs (even bent at times).
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> > I would ask Lamber this question........
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> > "Who has a tighter hand path...Bonds or A-Rod. I'll give a hint.....one stands on the plate.
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> > If A-Rod were linear with his upper body, why doesn't he have a tighter hand path then Bonds? A-Rod has a wider swing radius, because his lower body is over-rotatiing too far ahead of him and without lead arm extension he'd top a ton of balls and probably fall over. You see this often with A-rod with excessive body lean over the plate on some hits.
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> > I see A-Rod as a superior hitter, but he would do even better by quieting his lower body, which would minimize his sometimes excessive head movement. This one of the reasons he's tapered off in recent years in average, while Bonds has improved!! Bonds hits out of box in his minds eye that never moves, while A-rod's hitting box is somewhat distorted, when he moves to the ball with his active legs. Bonds waits for balls to get to him, while A-Rod goes to balls. Imagine that...an MVP with room to improve and if I see him, I'll tell him!!!!
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> > Late,
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> > Coach C
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> I'm confused. Are you saying Arod stands closer to the plate than Bonds?
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> There is no question that Bonds has a tighter hand path.
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> In case you don't know it, a rotational hitter will have a tighter hand path than a linear hitter.
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> I see much less connection between hand path/swing radius and the lower body. The direct connection is whether the arms extend or not. Bonds seldom. Arod always. Bonds quick to the ball. Arod long to the ball.
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> And guys, you have to accept that there are two linear components to the swing. Upper and lower. Both have adverse affects. Having one under control does not guarantee the other.
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> In fact, the act of proper lower body rotation is relatively easy. But how the hands connect and stay connected is everything. The tendency to go linear with the upper body is the difference between making it and not. Jack calls it transfer mechanics. Tom says arm action is king. Say it how you wish. But Arod is definately linear in his upper body. It is impossible to launch from the position he launches from without having linear hands/arms.


It's not impossible if you emphasize shoulder rotation as A-Rod does. I've done his swing many times and the feel is that the shoulders are being driven down through the ball, which then launch the arms/hands/bat (in that order). You can see this excessive shoulder pre-launch in his intital move to the ball. Bonds does not do this, but Pujols is very similar. Your eyes deceive you, in my opinion. However, out of curiousity, what verbal cues would you give a aspiring A-Rod student. Should he take his hands straight to the ball, or keep the hands back? What should my top hand do? Should I be told to lead with the hips? Should he pull the knob (EEEEEK).

There is absolutely no doubt A-Rod is different, nobody should argue that point, but your analysis of how he is achieving it is incorrect to me. A-Rod's swing is easy to do.

You say he rotates lower half and then goes straight with upper half/head.....that's something I might see in a funhouse mirror, but not much good against 90 mph heat. We disagree on these points.

Good Luck Lamber and Thanks for the time.

Coach C