Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Wed Mar 23 18:03:12 2005

Hi Fellows,

Here is some cues from Mike Epstein that might help you perform the task that you wish to accomplish:

Question about hip initiation:

I don't feel the heel drop making my hips turn. Is the heel drop more or less a timing mechanism?

Mike's Response:

No, it is not a timing mechanism; it is a de facto mechanical movement necessary to initiate proper hip rotation.

Try this. When you drop your front heel, lift your rear heel up at the same time (Do NOT “squish the bug”). Move your rear knee slightly down and in and then slightly turn your rear hip “around” the imaginary axis you’ve set up in your stride. Once you have done this a few times and feel comfortable, attempt it doing all the moves simultaneously.

When you drop your front heel, you should feel a “swiveling” of your hips from back to front. Sometimes, and this may very well be true in your case, you have to “help” it along at first. Once the body understands its role, it will take over from there.

I believe Epstein's cues can help here. Remember that the instant the front heel drops, hip initiation is started.

Best Wishes,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. Good luck!