Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Jan 20 15:38:48 2006

>>> Hi I noticed that in the Final Arc Video that John says to rotate your front foot backwards to achieve hip rotation. Then when I see the kids and John do the BHT to the CHP drill they seem not to do that. It is the same as on the swing clips at youthbaseballcoaching.com, what do I do? Thats why I'm starting to try to rotate my back leg to get rotation, I am too confused. Thanks <<<

Hi Tyler

Normally, rotation is initiated as the lead-heel drops. These students (first lesson) had their foot fully closed at heel-drop. Having the lead-foot closed as the hips attempt to rotate open causes a buildup of tension on the knee. John was trying to teach the students to rotate the lead-foot open about 45 degrees as the heel dropped to lessen the buildup of pressure on the lead-knee.

That is why he was teaching them to rotate the heel slightly back toward the catcher as it lowered to initiate rotation. From the buildup of pressure we could still see in their knees, it was apparent they still had the foot too closed at heel-plant. It would probably take another lesson or two for them to get the heel down correctly.

We teach rotating the lead-foot. However, if you find rotating the back-foot works best for you ....

Jack Mankin