Posted by: Bobby Tewksbary (bobby@abathletics.com) on Thu Feb 11 09:46:10 2010

> Hi All
>
> In the January 22 post below, I said I would develop a video clip of four good hitters
concentrating on the relationship of lead-shoulder rotation to the acceleration of the hand-
path. This "New Clip" has been added to the post.
>
> For decades, I have often wondered why coaches stress the benefits of hip-rotation
whereas they consider any mention of shoulder-rotation to be taboo. This site has often
pointed out that the bat/hands/arms linkage is connected at the shoulders -- not the hips.
It is bio-mechanically impossible for energy generated by the large muscle groups of the
lower-body to reach the bat if the shoulders are held static. To fire hip rotation while
keeping the shoulders disengaged would be like racing a car's engine while holding the
clutch in.
>
> The ultimate purpose for generating hip rotation is to engage a more powerful shoulder
rotation. As the "New Clip" below illustrates, in high level mechanics, shoulder rotation is
engaged to initiate the swing. Also note that the first movement of the hands is 'not'
directed "Inside the Ball" - they are first accelerated perpendicular to the flight of the ball.
>
> ##
>
> (January 22 post)
>

Hello,

I'd like to know the cause of the shoulder rotation you discuss in the video. I agree that the shoulders open, but I strongly disagree that they pull. Also, you state that the hands do not move initially with Pujols. Do mean they do not move in relation to the body? Do you mean they are doing nothing?

Thank you.