Posted by: Mark H. () on Mon Dec 16 07:17:03 2002

What is scapula loading and more importantly, how do you teach a
> > player to do it? Can somebody explain?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Is it pinching the shoulder blades together? How does that
> > help in hitting? I have watched video (and of course I do not know
> > what to look for) but I surely cannot see "scapula loading". And if I
> > did, I wonder where that would rank in order of important things a
> > hitter needs to be worried about - oh, I need to pinch my shoulder
> > blades together. In Jack's video, where do you see this scapula
> > loading that you keep talking about?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Any guidance?
> > > > >
> > > > > Tom or Jack or one of Nyman's better students is welcome to tell
> > me I'm all wet, but my understanding of scapula loading is this. If
> > both shoulder blades are pinched, then both would be loaded. Opposite
> > would be unloaded. RH batter should start with the right scap loaded
> > and the left scap fully unloaded. Look at the USA Today Bonds clips
> > for an example of dynamic scapula use.
> > http://www.usatoday.com/sports/gallery/bonds/flash.htm
> > > > >
> > > > > Mark H.
> > > >
> > > > Mark-
> > > > you are correct in your understanding.
> > > > Welcome to anatomy class. read on if you want the details.
> > > >
> > > > The scapula or shoulder blade is one of the bones of the shoulder
> > joint(s). With the clavicle or collar bone, it forms the
> > Acromioclavicular (A-C) joint. The Glenohumeral joint is the humerus
> > or upper arm bone in the shoulder socket. Internal and external
> > rotation refer to the humerus rotating within this joint.
> > > > The acromioclavicular joint moves the entire Glenohumeral joint:
> > when you shrug - shoulders to ears, or pull your shoulders back or
> > round them forward. The scapula slides along the rib cage and is
> > attached to the ribs, moved by the Serratus Anterior muscles. The
> > rotator cuff muscles (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor,
> > Subscapularis) connect the scapula to the humerus.
> > > >
> > > > When Jack talks about the need for tight connection between
> > shoulder turn and the arms/hands/bat, the scapula's role is critical.
> > > > When the upper body rotates quickly around the spine, any 'loose'
> > parts will get momentarily left behind. Think of sitting in a car at a
> > stop light, leaning slightly forward, when the driver suddenly floors
> > it and goes 0 to 60 in 5 seconds in his fast sports car.
> > > > You will be slammed back into the seat, bounce forward some, then
> > slam back and finally get pinned to the seat until acceleration slows
> > or stops.
> > > > If your top hand shoulder (the right one for right handed hitters)
> > is in a neutral position when rapid shoulder turn begins, it will
> > likewise get slammed back and bounce around during the swing. It is
> > the shoulder's version of Jack's slipped transmission (loss of
> > connection between the hips and shoulders is what Jack refers to).
> > > >
> > > > If instead, the hitter loads/retracts the scapula before shoulder
> > turn, it will be like sitting back in the seat before the car
> > accelerates. Shoulder turn will bring the entire shoulder complex
> > smoothly in the arc of shoulder turn to contact, no bouncing around.
> > > >
> > > > Jack has been very clear that actively pushing the top hand
> > forward has negative effects on the swing. An unloaded shoulder at
> > initiation of shoulder turn also has negative effects. Usually it
> > results in a late, passive scapula 'load' followed by the shoulder,
> > arm and hands being thrown out of the shoulder turn too early. The
> > hands momentarily drag, then are thrown out of connection before
> > contact. The Acromioclavicular (A-C) joint bounces around like the
> > passenger in the sports car. Once the hands are thrown like that, the
> > L comes out, etc. before contact. Proper scapula loading as part of
> > the swing load process can prevent that and maintain connection
> > through contact just like sitting back in your seat will prevent
> > whiplash.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Great explanation. Tom tried to explain this to me forever. First I
> > figured out the tight connection, but then it took seeing a Nyman
> > pitching drill clip before I finally understood how much dynamic
> > powerful movement the shoulder complex/scapula is capable of. Once I
> > understood this, a light went on looking at the referenced Bonds clip
> > and further study of it convinced me, for the moment at least, that
> > the primary force for the final arc/tightening handpath/hook is
> > supplied by scapula load/unload (depending on which shoulder). Now I'm
> > chewing on the internal rotation part of rear shoulder scap loading
> > that Tom talks about. I'll get that about the time Tom comes up with
> > something else. : )
> > >
> > > Mark H.
> >
> > Scap "loading" means the muscles are put on stretch(eccentric stretch)
> > to prepare for subsequent action.How this is done is different in
> > throwing overhand(one arm whip/symmetric arm action during
> > loading-loading happens in "early cock" and "late cock" phases of
> > throw) vs. hitting where you develop a two handed push/pull action.In
> > this hitting case,the back scap is pinched,the front scap loaded in
> > the opposite direction as pointed out by Mark as the lead arm
> > stretches across the chest.
> >
> > Internal rotation is likewise necessary to set things up for the next
> > part of the sequence.In the case of the overhand throw,the hands break
> > with(symmetric) internal rotation in the "early cock" phase.Then
> > things are set up for the arm to lay back(externally rotate) in the
> > "late cock" phase.During these phases,there is all sorts of
> > traditional teaching emphasis on "not dropping the elbow" etc.This is
> > because the arm must be internally rotated and fully extended and
> > fully abducted in the "early cock" phase to then set up for
> > whipping(form loop to whip)by externally rotating in the "late
> > cock".Then the arm can whip by internally rotating in the
> > "acceleration" phase.Internal rotation must lead the
> > whipping(acceleration) to be efficient.This what is described as
> > "staying on top" or "not dropping down" as the pitcher gets tired
> > which results in pushing instead of whipping(lose
> > connection/integriity of "whipping loop").Disconnection in other words
> > occurs if the arm flexes or adducts(elbow "drops" or "leads" before it
> > has started whipping(accelerating) via internal rotation.
> >
> > Due to the nature of hitting,dropping/adducting the arm is OK,but any
> > flexing motion will disconnect and "push" the swing.This is the
> > meaning of undesirable "top hand dominance".The back arm will
> > disconnect by flexing( "L" comes out of back elbow prematurely/back
> > elbow does not stay in slot,but drifts forward toward belly
> > button).Setting up the arm to avoid this(as well as cocking the hip
> > adequately/keeping body parts/limbs balanced) requires internal
> > rotation of the back arm at the right time.Connection depends on the
> > right action here,not just the lead arm action.The sequence should be:
> >
> > Internal rotation as hip cocks and bat cocks.Then Scap loads to max
> > which occurs as hips "uncock".Bat is turning into plane as this
> > "uncocking"/"torso launch" occurs by combo of external rotation and
> > adduction of back arm BUT the arm(humerus) can not flex or their will
> > be disconnection.Some of this can be seen in the Bonds clip under
> > internal rotation above.
> >
> > Another style is Arod.He holds the back elbow high in the stance in a
> > way that "preloads" the scapula.The he internally rotates the back arm
> > with hip cock,but little additional scap loading(because it starts
> > loaded most of the way),then back elbow drops(adduction and external
> > rotation of back arm/humerus,NO flexion) around toe touch.
> >
> > Internal rotation goes with hip cock and is necessary to set up
> > external rotation-without-flexion to maintain mechanics that avoid
> > disconnecion.
> >
> > So
>
> Hi All
>
> Back in the early 1990’s when I defined top-hand-torque as the added dimension to the swing that great hitters exhibit, it was to define the forces acting on the bat that caused the bat-head to first accelerate back toward the catcher. I termed it “Top-Hand-Torque” because the top-hand was being pulled back around a more stationary bottom-hand (in relationship to the shoulder) as the back-elbow lowered to the batters side.
>
> As a batter prepares the launch position, he shrugs (or tucks) the lead-shoulder forward under the batter’s chin. As he approaches contact, he un-shrugs (105 degree position) the lead-shoulder to give a greater pull back of the lead-arm. This causes the bottom-hand to hook around the top-hand (Bottom-Hand-Torque).
>
> It seems to me that this discussion is describing some of the muscle groups/movements that produced those torque forces. Am I right in this assumption or does “scapula loading and unloading...” produce a different mechanical force TO THE BAT than “top & bottom-hand-torque?”
>
> Jack Mankin
>
>

I'm still chewing on this, but if it's not just a detailed explanation of your work, I'm pretty sure it's compatible. Need some time with a heavy bag, some clips and a beverage before I open my mouth. : ) Course, Tom's probably way ahead of me on this and is just waiting to see how long it takes to figure it out.

Mark H.

Mark H.