Posted by: zig ziegler (zigz@motiondnacorp.com) on Thu Oct 19 00:12:29 2006

> > > > I have noticed, in alot of hitters, but alot in Albert Pujols, how his back leg/knee drops so low down when he swings. Take a look at these pictures:
> > > >
> > > > http://www.prosportspictures.com/images/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/2005/05-albert-pujols-action-01-sm.jpg
> > > >
> > > > http://www.theredcrush.com/files/images/HTA139101800_1024x768.preview.jpg
> > > >
> > > > What I would like to know, is how does he accomplish that? That must give him so much power because he really gets his back leg into it. How do you do this? Do you actually just try to force it down like that? Or does it happen from the reaction of another part in your swing? How do you get that?
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > It is the result of a very wide stance. If you emulate his swing in the batting cage, you may well find yourself doing the same thing.
> >
> > OK, so that should not be something you really try to get into your swing. It is just the result of a wide stance? Thanks alot.It actually does make alot od sense when you tihnk about it
>
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> I would say that what Pujols does in that instance is neither a plus or a minus. Reggie Jackson used to do the same thing on ocassion. It could also be attributed to the hitter being slightly fooled, but the hitter having been able to keep his hands back still
gets a good result.

I would say you are correct in that it is not a positive but it is definitely a negative. It is not an indication of power, but an indication of a lower body collapse because the base is so wide and forces Pujols to have more of an upperbody swing, which is why he suffered the abdominal strain earlier this year. So it puts a lot stress on the lower back and muscles of the abdomen affecting rotation. Pujols has to work really hard. but he makes up for with with good decision making, upperbody strength and rotational abdominal strength.

In addition, the wider the stance the stronger the lower body has to be as well, but it only prevents a total collapse downward at the point. His lower body does very little to assist in the rotation of his upper body. he is a great example of a hitter overcoming a flaw and getting good results. Keep searching.

All the best to those who visit here.