Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Nov 5 18:52:00 2005

>>> I find it impossible to quantify positive hip movement in clip mac03 (http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/mac03.mpeg). This clip is a back view shot at an angle that makes positive hip movement relative to head movement difficult to judge. The clip only shows a portion of the swing excluding any negative movement. When I measure positive hip movement (hip slide), I begin measurement at the limit of all negative hip movement and end it at a point where all positive linear movement has been replaced by rotation. In this clip, the camera also appears to be either panning or zooming out throughout the swing. This further makes it impossible to measure linear hip movement.

I would direct your attention to the other McGuire clip, mac01.mpeg. This front quarter view also is extremely short in duration, showing only a portion of the swing. However, in this swing there IS greater forward linear hip movement than there is head movement. This definitely gives the rotation axis its backward lean.

I wish I could load this clip into my Rightview Pro Capture Viewer and physically measure the head and hip movement as I have done with 25 pro baseball and 6 Olympic softball players . Unfortunately, not enough of the swing is shown to make this possible. Of the 31 clips I have analyzed, every one showed more hip than head movement.

I do not agree with your statement that “once the axis is set, the hips move forward at about the same rate as the head.” Once the axis is set, rotation has begun and there is no longer any forward movement. My point is that the action of moving the hips forward further than the head allows the axis to become properly set. Any batter who begins with a balanced stance must make this move to get the axis into the correct alignment.

I would also add that when coaching our young players who have problems with establishing a correct axis of rotation, we emphasize creating this type of movement prior to and leading into rotation. It DOES help improve their power.

Jim <<<

Hi Jim

There is probably not as great a difference between our positions on this topic as you might think. In my opining reply to you, I agreed that in order to set an axis angle, the hips must be ahead of the head when rotation is initiated. Where we may differ is with your contention that, “during the positive move prior to rotation, hips ALWAYS move forward farther than the head.”

There are batters whose mechanics do have the hips moving farther than the head during the stride. However, that is no absolute rule. I have also studied many clips where the axis angle is set prior to a positive move forward and during the stride the head and hips move forward about the same distance (Example - http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/bagwell1.mpegI ). I think it largely depends on the lower-body mechanics the batter uses to initiate rotation.

I am just guessing at this point, but from this discussion and an earlier statement you made, it appears you may believe in a 3 or 4 stage type of swing. You stated; “First, it seems to me that to initiate the swing and accelerate the bat with maximum force, the muscles of the body must be given the opportunity to sequentially fire. All of the muscles cannot instantly fire at the time and yield a powerful, controllable swing.”

I have studied other programs that teach a sequentially approach. Basically they teach, (1) stride to a fairly firm front leg, (2) open the hips while keeping the shoulder closed, (3) rotate the shoulders and swing. This obviously does segment the firing of the muscles that rotate the hips from the firing of the muscles used to rotate the shoulders.

Jim, I do not believe in nor teach the sequentially approach to hitting. Once the “hips” issue is concluded, we can discuss it if you wish.

Jack Mankin