Posted by: George () on Thu Jul 19 11:20:00 2007

> > > > >>> The load that Pujols and Reyes and others use seems to be good and easy to do. They just turn there front foot in, set it down, and then hit. Is this a good load? They dont really stride or anything, sometimes Pujol's does, but most of the time he will just turn the foot up and then turn it down. What are the key parts to doing this load correct? Is there anything you should really focus on? Thanks alot guys.<<<
> > > >
> > > > Hi Tom
> > > >
> > > > Good observation, how Pujols rotates his lead heel down is basically the way I teach my students to initiate their swing. Below is an exert form a post I wrote on this topic.
> > > >
> > > > Jack Mankin
> > > > ##
> > > >
> > > > (Mike)
> > > > >>> I have suggested to a veteran hitting instructor the pitfalls of concentrating too much on back leg hip drive, without considering equal power contribution form the front leg. Needless to say, he was dismissive, indicating one would "spin out" too fast if they attempted this. He argued balance is better maintained if the front leg merely rolls with the front hip in a reverse arc.
> > > >
> > > > The video appears to emphasize the front leg, suggesting more front than back leg power.
> > > >
> > > > Exactly what leg power ratio do you expect in an ideal swing, (50% back / 50% front ?). (I don't see how hips can keep a completely circular arc if leg power is not contributed equally.) <<<
> > > >
> > > > (My reply)
> > > > Mike, all I can say for that veteran hitting instructor is, -- Forgive them Lord. For they know not what they do.
> > > >
> > > > To be honest, I have had very few students whose major problem is with their lower body mechanics. I spend a lot of time teaching the batter how to prepare good Launch and Contact positions (all the points shown in your training booklet). I have the batter address the heavy bag with the correct contact position. Then I have them use their legs (mainly the lead-leg) to rotate back to a good launch position (lead-heel up pointing toward third base). Then rotate around a stationary axis back to the contact position. This rotation is activated by the rotation of the lead-heel rotating back toward the catcher as it lowers and the lead-leg begins to extend. Then they rotate back and forth from launch to contact. Once they are fluid with their movements, they can start incorporating their timing step.
> > > >
> > > > I impress upon them that all swing mechanics (lower and upper-body) has one ultimate purpose – to accelerate the bat-head around the swing plane to contact. That is what they should concentrate on – not the legs or hips or accelerating the hands – Think, rotate the heel, rotate the bat-head. -- First in an arc back toward the catcher then around toward the bag. -- No tension, no explosion – loose, smooth, ever accelerating movements.
> > > >
> > > > The student’s bat-head acceleration seem to sync with hip and shoulder rotation better when thinking of accelerating the bat-head rearward than when thinking “hips first” or similar leg type cues. At least this is true for my teaching. --- This is the same method (and thought process) I used to teach John the basics of rotational transfer mechanics he exhibits in the video. John’s main problem was (like many others) his muscles were so tight from years of relying on linear mechanics, it took a long time to loosen him up to swing freely.
> > > >
> > > > Jack Mankin
> > >
> > > Jack~
> > >
> > > You are one of the biggest advocates and 'cue' users of the term 'torque'. Torque in rotation. You also state you come from a solid academic/scientific standpoint when it comes to the rotational swing. If torque is defined as two equal forces acting in opposite directions about an axis, I don't understand what the arguement is here. Equal but opposite. So I would conclude that both the front and rear leg/foot apply equal force. How the force about the axis is applied isn't that a personal style arguement? If baters are rotating the lower and upper body in the correct kinetic chain, applying torque at the wrists as the hands come around with the rear shoulder while maintaining CHP (my eye opener!) is it worthwhile to debate over how Pujols rotate vs. how an ARod or other batter rotates?
> > > This endless discussion of each MLB batters' personal style is just so confusing. Can we somehow stick to the CORE mechanics explaing what is universal and where personal style can be applied at which points in the universal rotional movement.?
> > >
> > > Dennis W.
> >
> >
> > Dennis W. I can understand your willingness to stick to certain truths about rotational hitting. But the absolutes of hitting often do not appear so absolute. In addition, a player's personal style is often more likely a product of their original style coupled with some batting coaches influence to correct flaws in the swing. Thus it is unlikely that many hitters bat the way the started in their minor league career. Therefore, many hitters are using the current technique that was used to help them stay in the big leagues. So it is not as much a matter of their personal preference but what it working now and or supposed to work now. The bottom line the way I see it is the great hitters find a way to hit. And often great hitters have similarities. But only a select few have the mental to go with the mechanical to be able to make the continual adjustment to stay at the top. A good example would be Chone Figgins who early in the year was batting .123 But now he is over .300.
>
> George,
>
> I don't understand what your point is. In generating power I feel that there are absolutes. Also in maintaining it (CHP).
> Rotating the hips is done with the legs, front leg pushing back, the rear coming forward. How this is done, with stride or without, to me is a individual style. Much like the stance, some use exaggerated stances to bring them into the rotational swing (rotational swing being absolute). This is all I am pointing out. Describe the rotational swing, what he hips NEED to do, what the shoulders NEED to do, and what the arms and hands NEED to do. This is what we need to focus on and allow the student to determine HOW to accomplish it.
> Ted Williams said to keep the (rotational) swing simple. So why the endless debate on different ways to do the same thing?
> BTW- I am not a pro player, but do play in a club structured organization in Europe (Holland). In a very competitive class my BA is .350 with a SLG. of .775. In 9 games I have hit 5 HR's. These are my credentials. I also Coach and train ages 14-25. I myself am 38 years old (no gut baseball coach who practices what he preaches).
>
> Dennis W.


Dennis W. I do not doubt that you have a working knowledge and experience.... of what you speak. But as long as there are not more Pujols and Rodriguezs the debate will only grow stronger as to who is doing what and how efficiently it works. And this does not mention how much the talent factor also plays into the argument. I gues what I am really saying is that different good hitters use varying adjustments/techniques to achieve optimum results. Therefore there is some relevance to what each great hitter might do. And since few hitters bat the same way, it is only natural that one might think other variances contribut to success. This view does not negate the fact that it would seem all rotate around an axis and use a division of a circular hand path. But the way they do it is not identical which opens up continued debate about what is the best way to do it. The danger is always that if we accept one concept as absolute, then why should not everyone bat the same as Bonds or at least use some version of his technique if he is to be used as the model for slugging.

Just my opinion but the power debate is wide open as to what plays the biggest part. And your comment regarding the stride is a factor and not just a personal preference because the result is what works best for that hitter in most cases. As such, there has to be a reason why Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz use the leg lift up/down. There also has to be a reason Soriano uses such a high leg lift backwards with prelaunch technique. The result increases his batspeed it would appear. Or why does a Jermaine Dye use little if any torque, but instead uses his 6ft 5in frame to create leverage slightly like Albert Belle used to use? The debate goes on.