Posted by: Coach C () on Mon Jan 5 18:39:38 2004

Jack,
>
> >>> I believe Coach's contention is the upper torso and arms, in unison, provide tremendous torque, which ultimately drive loose legs and hips with inertia.
>
> He suggests, by tensing the legs, one can only introduce possible impedance to loose lower swivel motion. Leg action, in this sense, is explained as an indirect result of hip swivel, and small balance tuning.
>
> There is some validity, if one can assert leg muscle power is simply too slow/underdeveloped to assist in hip drive, and that attempts to do so reduce fluid motion.
>
> From my experience, however, the optimal approach is to heavily utilize the massive higher leg muscles (upper thighs and groin). These should -snap- initially. Lower muscles (calfs and ankles) are loose and provide only light balance.
>
> This allows one to benefit from the most powerful leg muscle, while limiting concerns for timing of other loose connected tissue.
>
> (Ideally, if one were fast enough, one could recruit all leg muscles - but transfer timing would be difficult. In order for all muscles to contribute maximally to batspeed, they must be fired and unfired at at high speed, and in a sequence directly related to transfer distance from bathead.) <<<
>
> Hi Mike
>
> You stated, “There is some validity, if one can assert leg muscle power is simply too slow/underdeveloped to assist in hip drive, and that attempts to do so reduce fluid motion.” – Is this a miss-print or do you actually believe this? If you do believe it, how do you justify your next statement. –“ From my experience, however, the optimal approach is to heavily utilize the massive higher leg muscles (upper thighs and groin).”
>
> Why would you think the calf muscles are slower to react than the thigh muscles? Do you (or Coach C) have any evidence (published) to support these contentions?
>
> Jack Mankin
>

Mike has done a great job of articulating my feel. My feet feel light, while my thighs, groin and butt area are very tight. This is why the thought of leaning on one leg or pushing motion with the feet concerns me. My calves and feet are extremly light feeling while I hit, but yet they undertake the balancing act going on above. I feel I hit between the feet at all times, so never will I push with the feet to drive rotation, nor would I want to just feel my toes in the swing. In order to feel this, one has to engage the hips correctly. I would call it accepting the weight in the hips during the stride and not in the knees. I can generate over 90 mph of batspeed doing this and I feel like my head never moves. I can not back it up with science, but if it works don't fix it. It works like crazy for me. Hopefully, I'll get a clip up very soon.

When I capture this very specific move in my own swing...I also see it in the swings of the great major leaguers....Bonds especially!!

My Son is now driving the ball to all fields and says, the ball is amazingly big. He understands what hitting out of a box means, because he has no forward move to the ball with the body. He truely is hitting between his legs and without any question.....is rotational. He also has identified a feeling that has been articulated by many great hitter over the years.....getting his butt into the ball. You need to give me a chance to show you....It'll change your thinking Jack.......maybe not, but it's worth a look! Forget science....because I'm jazzed!!

Coach C