Posted by: Steve A. (WEGLBOY@aol.com) on Wed Dec 22 12:18:43 1999

> Hello to Jack, Steve T, Jeff, and BHL:
> I would appreciate some thoughts on the back foot and it's role in helping maximize bat speed. The
> feet are the bottom of the kinetic chain, starting energy from the ground up. Now, what should the back foot do? Does the back foot push weight back to the center of the body on contact or the 50-50 point? Does the back foot just serve to unlock the hips in the chain and only rotate? Or should the back foot generate a push/turn at the same time? Looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts, I appreciate and respect eveyone's knowledge. I have been sharing and learning on this site long enough to determine that you gentlemen have solid and correct insights on the baseball swing. I am by no means a novice to the swing or the game itself for that matter, but I like learning new ideas from all of you. I also do not certainly think I know it all, because I don't...humbly...dog

Mr. Dog, You ask a valid question. If the right foot does not push/turn one would be wasting power and inhibiting proper hip rotation/clearance. The real question is when: as in the golf swing ( where the downswing starts with the lead foot/knee) the back foot should fire in conjunction with the lead foot/knee (I hate classifications but here we go "rotational"). Too early/late and the timing of the hip's rotation/clearance is damaged.The very first thing the back foot does is push( we're talking split-seconds here), turning as the hips are rotating/clearing.Keep in mind, the push/turn really does not transfer that much weight of the upper body but helps with the legs/hips so that you can stay balanced and "behind the ball" Now, after all that I can't say that during my years playing (Legion,college,AA) I ever really focused on any of the above but rather quick hands/hips and pitch location.Based on how you posed the question, I think you have a good handle on the mechanics.Just my thoughts, good luck.