Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Oct 19 21:33:36 2000

>>> jack....."If the lead leg is straighter (less flex) at foot plant, it would reduce the ability of the lead leg to drive hip rotation."....i don't understand this concept.....to me it's simple....you rotate around the front leg....i don't see the lead hip driving rotation, i see the hip rotation around a stiff front leg......and guess what ? if your front leg remains bent, then the body will have more of a linear shift FORWARD (linearly) & less rotation.....and according to mike schmidt, that's pretty much the distiction between weight shift & rotation (at least the lower body mechanics)....are schmidt & myself wrong?....respectfully, grc....<<<

Hi grc

The lead leg does not stay bent (or flexed) to contact. At foot plant the lead leg should be well flexed with the knee pointing toward the plate or first base. Hip rotation is started by the lead knee extending (or straightening) as it rotates around toward the pitcher. The rotation and straightening of the lead leg drives the front hip back around toward the catcher as the back leg drives the back hip around toward the pitcher. This results in the body rotating around a stationary axis, which is a much more efficient mechanic than just using one leg ("back to center").

At contact the lead leg will have fully extended and the batter will be hitting off a firm front side (except on some outside pitches).

Jack Mankin