Posted by: Graylon (g_dunc@hotmail.com) on Sun Aug 3 20:54:10 2008

> > > >>> I agree that rotation is not around the front hip, but I am not in agreement that rotation is around the spine.
> > >
> > > In reading your post I believe you stated that the forward push is not turned into rotational energy.
> > >
> > > Can there not be forward momentum with out weight shift until "go"? Can't the weight shift put the front foot down, so your weight will remain over your rear hip? So the axis of rotation is not really an axis but a joint the rear hip to be more specific.
> > >
> > > I ask because IMO the body produces forward momentum without the weight shifting until you push off of the back leg. The back leg and hands sync together, similar to throwing. The weight shift is blocked by the front leg.
> > >
> > > I may be rambling a bit, again hard to explain in written words.
> > >
> > > Graylon <<<
> > >
> > > Hi Graylon & All
> > >
> > > I had hoped to have the video clips illustrating the mechanics of applying THT ready by this time. However, this has been a busy week and I will instead start this month’s discussion by addressing the question above posted by Graylon last month (<a href="http://www.batspeed.com/messageboard/224211.html">Re: Jack and the Science of Hitting</a --
> > > ). -- I should have the THT clips up next week.
> > >
> > > I suspect that one of the main reasons coaches have a problem accepting the fact that many of the best hitters rotate about the center of their body (the spine) is because that would constitute “spinning.” “Spinning,” as outline in Jim Lefebvre’s book, “The Making of a Hitter,” has been considered a serious mechanical flaw in generating bat speed by many (if not most) batting coaches.
> > >
> > > However, the concept that rotating about the center of the body (like a “revolving door”) transferees less energy to the bat than rotation about the front hip (like a swinging gate), was not supported in my discussion with Physics Professors. Neither is it supported by my video analysis of the games best hitters. -- I will place below another post I wrote on this topic along with supporting video clips.
> > >
> > > <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/messageboard/119313.html">Momentun & Axis of Rotation</a –
> > >
> > >
> > > Jack Mankin
> >
> >
> >
> > Jack,
> >
> > I do not support the front leg swinging gate. IMO that takes your rear hip out and aroud the front hip, which in turn does not direct the energy to the ball.
> >
> > I read your post "momentum and axis of rotation" if there is no momentum or weight shift, then how do the hips get moving? IMO the back hip gets moving because of a push of the back leg. Even in a no stride swing there is weight transfer and a push from the back leg.
> >
> > IMO the weight stays over the back leg, even as it moves forward the weight rides the back leg. The COG goes down as the momentum carries forward, until "go" time and then the push from the back leg drives the rear hip in the direction of contact. Watch Chipper Jones, as hed strides his weight lowers and at "go" the back leg pushes and the rear hip "pops" up. The weight stays over the rear leg. That push is what will drive the rear toe off of the ground some times.
> >
> > At contact there head and torso are almost in a straight line with there rear leg from the knee up. This would tell me that the "axis" of rotation is the rear hip.
> >
> > That's what I see and feel when I hit.
> >
> > Thanks for the discussion,
> >
> > Graylon
>
> When the front foot rises the weight is just falling forward,I think to say you push off the back leg is what hitters are often trying to stop from doing when they hit their lead thigh after a pitch,we try to ride the rear thigh which is a way of slowing down the forward momentum of the fall opposite of a push,the no stride is similar with very little weight on the lead foot and a controlled fall occurring,I think I read that walking is a continous string of controlled falls,if we push it is to easy to lock the hips and get the head forward of center.

rql,

I agree you are controlling the weight shift. IMO you are controlling it by lowering your center of gravity. As you are controling the weight shift you are maintaining the load in the rear hip but when it is time to go you push off the back foot. The lead hip has already cleared. The back knee is in front of the back foot, so the hips have already been activated. The push is the final bit of energy that drives the rear hip. The head can stay still because the front leg is blocking any forward "linear" movement. The rear hip is replacing the front hip, so to speak.

Watch just before and at contact, watch the rear hip "pop"

Graylon