Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Wed Sep 26 15:53:10 2001

>>> [quote] --- Although all the muscles are contracting in unison, the hips will still open ahead of the shoulders due to the increased load of accelerating the upper-body mass and overcoming the inertia offered by the bat – not sequential timing.
> [/quote]
> We've discussed this before. THis last paragraph of yours clarifies for me how you think about this issue.
> I don't really have an opinion on whether the torso muscles are fired consciously either sequentially or in unison. I think we both agree on what the finished product should look like.
> My only question is if you have actually had the muscles monitored to see if they are used sequentially or in unison, or if this is just your opinion of what is happening.
> As I said, I have no idea myself. >>>
>
> Hi Major Dan
>
> I have found that we seldom disagree on any of the major batting principles. Our discussions have primarily centered on finding clarity rather than actual disagreements.
>
> My statement regarding “sequentially or in unison” is based on deductions made from observations and applying scientific principles – not test data.
>
> I observed that the momentum of my hips was not transferred upward without contracting my torso muscles. For example, two bowling balls are placed one on top of the other. The bottom ball is spun. If we stop the bottom ball – is any momentum, other than that caused by friction, transferred upward to the top ball? --- I found that if I left my midsection relaxed, my legs could open my hips approximately 70+ degrees with very little tendency for the shoulders to rotate. You could hold the shoulders back with one finger.
>
> I concluded: (1) If the legs fully open the hips while leaving the shoulders closed, only torso contraction will be left to drive shoulder rotation. (2) For the legs and hips to cause the shoulders to rotate, the torso muscles must also contract.
>
> Jack Mankin
>
Jack -
I can't disagree with you here. I don't have the access or know-how to do an actual muscle firing test, but it would be interesting to see if the actual timing is sequential or in unison.
My assumptions are/were that you can't consciously time the sequential firing of torso muscles. In fact, using that group of muscles is a bit less conscious for most people.
As a cue, I talk about the sequence of hips, shoulders, elbows as the kinetic chain works its way toward the bat.
I hope to get that order rather than the typical hips and elbows, then shoulders or the shoulders and elbows with the hips following.
My own experience is of trying to turn the hips to turn the shoulders. The torso activity is the connector but I don't TRY to do anything (freewheel or contract torso muscles).
I think that the torso muscles react to the hip turn in a stretch/contract response so some tension is needed but the two aren't in lockstep.
Again, medical data would be great here. And I agree that what you call freewheeling is pretty useless.