Posted by: Shawn (mariner0324@yahoo.com) on Fri Sep 8 19:11:53 2006

> Jack-
>
> I am not sure what the actual details are of order of firing of muscles, nor am I sure this info is required for teaching the mlb swing.
>
> I would certainly agree that there should be no "freewheeling" and that too much separation is bad.
>
> Stretching/coiling/"loading" is a total body coordinated thing where the approprate amount and orientation of stretch are prepared.
>
> This preparation/"loading" also importantly appears to include conversion/blocking of linear forward weight shift momentum to jumpstart more active hip turn which contributes to a last quick stretch/separation of the upper/lower halves which Zig calls "xfactor stretch" (measured in golf and hitting) or Nyman calls a loading "cusp".
>
> The body has to "sit"/bend somewhat into toe touch in part because muscles must stretch and continue to stretch with loading. In golf Jones called this the "power squat".
>
> In addition the upper body is resisting the hip turn and preparing for the right spatial swing plane, perhaps most importantly via direction and timing of THT,for example. This enables launch/acceleration to occur far enough back behind the hitter to optimize recognition and shape a swing plane that best matches the anticiated location of contact producing an efficient collision of sweetspot and ball - "good acceleration around the swing plane".
>
> The timing of blocking/conversion and firing of muscles in unison (or without excessive sequential delay whatever that is) needs to blend well to create xfactor stretch in any case for bathead launch to be adequately quick for timing precision.

Hi Jack,

I'm not sure it's just the load to overcome that creates the correct sequence. I have many clips of youth hitters who rotate the hips and shoulder together, more in block. Their hands don't stay back as well.

Depending on the clip we look at this sequence can be very obvious, or the hips and shoulders might appear to turn together.

I believe this happens as "one move". This is similar to what your saying about muscles firing in unison. But', it is a sequence of unwinding from the bottom up.

I believe the back knee and hips initiate rotation. The shoulders should not turn immediately although they follow very closely. The shoulders start in a inward position, the hips/back knee begin rotation. This starts to create momentum that is passed up to the shoulders. It also stretches the torso muscles on both sides during the initial movement of the hips. This slightly winds-up the upperbody.

So I don't believe it's just overcoming inertia, it is a sequence of winding up and unwinding the body. If the hips and shoulders just rotated together, just turning the torso with the hips/legs, you couldn't create as much momentum and pass it along or use the muscles in the torso effectively.

It really depends on the clip your viewing. In some clips the sequence is easily seen and you can see the transfer to the upperbody. I don't think most hitters will naturally have the hips leading the hands. It isn't a large amount, separation, but it can be the difference between an arms/hands hitter and someone who uses their body to power their swing.

I take Mike Epsteins approach would follow the 123 method. I think your over exaggerating that the hips are completely open in this method. While using this method the hips are opened, not fully, and there is a stretch through the torso and the shoulder remain closed (during the 1-2 movement). You can then go from creating the 123 into doing it as one move while maintaining the sequence.

I really see no problem with the 123 method if taught correctly. It can help create the correct sequence in the swing.

Shawn