Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Sun Jan 18 08:02:20 2004

Nice to debate on this site again. I read some posts near the end of December 2003 where you stated that the heel drop--and not the turning of the front foot--was primarily responsible for initiating hip rotation. If this is true, why does a person have to begin with their front foot closed, and pivot it? Would it not make more anatomical sense to just open it 90 degrees, and drop it straight down (we are assuming that a person has also tucked the front shoulder under his or her chin) to initiate hip rotation?
> > >
> > > Hi BHL
> > >
> > > I think Donny’s comments were right on target. -- The stipulation you added, “(we are assuming that a person has also tucked the front shoulder under his or her chin)” is a key factor in why I like teaching a student to land with the foot more closed and rotating the foot open to initiate the swing.
> > >
> > > One of the Absolutes to generating maximum bat speed by contact is that after the “in-ward turn”, the hands must stay back at the back-shoulder during initiation. I refer to this as “Hiding the hands” from the pitcher in the launch position. I noted while doing hundreds of video swing analysis of young hitter’s swings, that there was a definite correlation between how open the front-foot was at toe-plant and how far the hands pre-maturely opened before initiation.
> > >
> > > After pointing this out to the students with a frame-by-frame analysis and recommending they land more closed and rotate the foot open at initiation, those that I reviewed again later showed much improved performance. I am not saying that a batter cannot keep their hands back while striding to an open foot – but I am saying it makes it much more difficult.
> > >
> > > Jack Mankin
> > >
> > Greetings Jack,
> >
> > You crystallized your message about how turning the shoulder back, while opening the front leg 90 degrees--then dropping it straight down--creates an inordinate amount of tension, which, although some individuals can use effectively (e.g, Ted Williams), should be avoided by most "do-it-yourselfers." However, I never like to understand exclusively not what to do, without understanding what to do. That being said, I watched your DVD thrice this weekend.
> >
> > At the end of your DVD, I noticed that when John Elliot turns his heel, you point out how he shifts his weight on the front foot before rotation begins. This is so when the heel hits the ground rotation can begin. I also noticed that, at impact, his front foot pointed directly at the pitcher, meaning that his hips were wide open at contact. So, I guess your point that striding with a closed front foot, as long as you swivel it, is well taken.
> >
> > I am waiting for the leaves to twitch, the blades of grass to bristle my cleats, and the sun to balm the head of shrubs. Until then, I need suggestions on a leg rotation exercise I devised. In this exercise, I flex my front knee, and have my front heel up, and pointing towards an imaginary "plate." I then shift weight onto that foot, and "squish the bug" like you said, until my front foot opens 90 degrees. This will make the "L" naturally, as you suggested, and will afford me the ability to concentrate on a new way of opening my hips. Remember, I'm just using my legs. Then, I'll pick up a bat.
> >
> > Any suggestions? Change is difficult, so help me through it.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > BHL
> > Knightt1285@aol.com
>
>
> hi BHL
>
> this move you are describing single-handedly changed my swing and gave me tremendous hip rotation. i owe it to jack.
>
> remember it needs time to get into the muscle program. if you do that move you will naturally swing with both legs which is what it is all about. i recommend you watch jeter do it. he is a master at it. he does it even for outside pitches, he gets completly rotated and hit home runs like that.
>
> keep at it
>
> toti

Hola Toti,

I would like to welcome you to the communities of "philosopher kings," where analysis takes precedence over hunches. It feels nice for an individual to share a situation of how this site has "touched" his personal batting experience in a meaningful way. However, in some odd sense, Jack has been essential in providing a plethora of sound scientific information, save for some subtleties, or the "cues." What I needed was a new pair of "eyes."

I found my vision facilitated through Mike Epstein's hitting program, who has met and has full admiration towards Jack and his research. Since I was often stifled by fundamentals, I turned to Mike in hopes of allowing me to interpret Jack's system not only analytically, but anatomically as well. He suggested three changes that helped my swing take off. First, and foremost he told me to land on my toes in an open lower body position, while twisting the upper body and shoulder back, very similar to Jack's procedure, except for the fact that Jack advises one to pivot the front foot to attain part of the stretch, rather than opening all the way immediately. Secondly, I learned to drop my heel to initiate hip rotation, a tactic which Jach agrees with fully. Finally, I learned to tuck my back elbow in to gain the equivalent of Jack's top hand torque.

Now, I'm 5'9," and 210 lbs., and imagine how it feels to go from hitting a big softball 236 feet initially to 320+ feet. It feels great!

So, who was right? Well, I believe that Jack, on the whole, has constructed a dynamic situation worth of emulation, but his hints did not allow me to appreciate his genius. It was Mike who gave me the hints to allow me to appreciate the outstanding job Jack did on his sight. People need both analysis, and explanation.

Both guys are standout, and have made a difference together.

Thank you for the response, and best wishes!

Sincerely,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com