Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Tue Dec 4 07:47:08 2001

Jack has said lower body is only as important as its help to shoulder rotation,I agree.However I believe it can hinder as much as help shoulder rotation.To me the axis in a proper center position is what allows for the separation and the shoulders to generate the speed.Now the 1st place I think that a swing can get linear is with the stride,many talk about driving off the rear foot.I believe that if the rear heel lifts up from weight coming off it then your weight shift.If your rear heel comes up by being turned from rear knee drive then you will rotate.It is at this point I believe the lower body becomes one or the other.
> > >
> > > Hey RQL
> > > You have probably already heard this, it holds true for both pitching and hitting. Your foot should land open on your stride so your foot is at a 45 degree angle, this should allow the hips to rotate without being restricted. I think that the hips could even remain even or slightly open. You should rotate your shoulders as far back so it doesnt restrict your vision. All of the slack should be taken out of the lead shoulder, so any movement with the hips will result in a corresponding movement of the shoulders. By landing with front foot open and keeping your shoulders back results in your upper body acting as a giant rubber band, and increasing the speed of shoulder rotation.
> > > The Hitman
> >
> > RQL-
> > I like your point. Don't know if it is always true (there's always some weird guy who...), but it certainly is the right approach IMO as well. Turning the back foot over drives the hip through; pushing with the back foot simply shifts the weight.
> > I suspect that this is the real meaning of 'squish the bug'.
> > [oh, oh, that could get some reactions!!!]
> >>Hitman,Your points are correct but refer to lead foot ,my point is about the rear foot.Now that opening of the lead foot with stride is good for balls middle in to pull but on an away pitch that you hit further back I think you might want to keep the lead hip and toe more closed til touch down then turn it,[a point for discussion and film.] M.D.probably always going to be someone who can suceed outside the framework,but I see so many that do this and from that point on their done,the whole body goes with it.Possibly a Ripken type, aggressive drive but then stop and push back hard with lead leg and turn.Most just keep drifting forward.

rql-

Try the Lugo style of turning the back foot and see how much that encourages rotation,especially when paired with the big open to closed stride.

Also,good point about the front foot angle.If you look at the Nomar side by side clips at setpro from the days when he took a short stride,the toe comes down in the same place,but by the time the front heel drops,he is open for the inside pitch and still closed for the away ball.That's because he is rotating later(and slower because of higher load/bathead further out).As Jack says,timing is most important for determining contact location.