Posted by: Dave (cdpaetkau@telus.net) on Fri Feb 4 12:51:27 2005

Dave-
>
> I think of the weight needing to finish going forward AND down before the axis is set and the torso gets energized by the decelerating hips (which require weight on the front foot as a base).In this way the momentum can be prferentially sent up and transformed into bathead acceleration (if "transfer mechanics" are good) instead of dissipating in the ground.This would be a few frames after the heel starts dropping/drop and tilt,even after the front heel is down,approximating what is traditionally sometimes called the "lag" position,or when the batter begins to "get out of the chair".

Hi Tom

I see the bat lag as better described as the x factor stretch. Even though in most clips the hands have started to move forward the shoulders are still closed waiting for the efficient energy transfer. For me the tilt is created because at heel touch the forward (linear) movement of the head and shoulders is stopped while the hips continue to drive against the front side. The driving of the hips (push that causes the back heel to go skyward)slows down the rotational speed of the hips which then allows energy transfer to the torso. The faster the heel gets up the quicker the hips have rotated and the faster the rotational energy produced.

The New York Yankees (have a friend in majors) are now starting to preach a pigeon toed back foot in the stance to promote a faster initial hip rotation (also benefits x factor stretch)to their hitters. Try this and see how easy it it to get the heel up and the hips through.

Dave