Posted by: () on Sat Apr 10 01:24:58 2004

Feel is something that isn't the same for everyone. The proper feel is usually derived somehow through correct posture, balance, rythm, and tempo to fit your swing and mental characteristics. You cannot teach someone this proper feel, it can only be discovered through trial and error, no gimmicks. That's why only very few teachers can even begin to explain or identify "it" to random students, and probably all of them are sitting in major league dugouts. But I can say this. You must do in order to learn how, then you can begin to know when you have discovered the right feel. It will feel smooth yet powerful, loose but controlled. It's a matter of finding your own mediums, but most of all everything should feel very natural, no over compensational feelings. And once you think you have the right feel, you'll later discover a more improved feel. This mental progression mirrors the hills and valleys of sports and economics. Discovering the right feel is a journey that never ends.
I think the important question is how to access the right feel so that the consistency of a professional is developed, considering that one's ability to feel changes from day to day. I'm not going to kid myself and say I know "it" completely, but I think I can begin to explain how it's done. It's all mental of course. One must discover how to mentally channel their energy properly, or truly finding your center of gravity. In a sport of repetition like baseball or golf it's also a matter of feeling forces of nature and gravity effectively. I believe this is achieved through correct physiology, which is a matter of self discovery. If this is done, then you can usually always feel when mechanics are not sound. I believe the underlying factor is inpenetrable confidence, allowing you to "just do it" without any worries. This cannot be taught, advice can only steer you in the right direction. Hint from leftfield about feel/focus: Why do you get goosebumps when you are cold or nervous?