Posted by: rql () on Fri Dec 20 20:32:54 2002

If in fact the hip cock is an essential early phase of the swing as described by Williams,then others should notice it.Charley Lau Jr,Lau's Laws,pp61-2:
> > >
> > > ".......We just thoroughly discussed the most widely recognized one[trigger]-the trigger of the hands and arms.However,after thorough study of today's best hitters by using slow-motion video,I have discovered a second hidden trigger that enhances the swing that nobody has ever mentioned.And the majority of the new generation of sluggers possess this second trigger.....The other trigger moves I detected are in the lower half of the body.........This causes the hips to slightly trigger back before exploding with rotation squarely through the hitting area...."
> > >
> > > I guess JR. never read SCIENCE OF HITTING and the concept of the rhythmic cocking and uncocking of the hips.
> > >
> > > In general,to cock the hips,the hands are brought in closer to the body(more important to bring them in than drop them) as the spine flexes,then the hip cocks with the internal rotation of all 4 limbs.A distinct sequence necessary for all to set up for generating power.Just like a pitcher who raises the hands with the back arched,then drops/pulls them in as the body flexes early in the windup.The end of the windup phase is the "hip cock".
> > >
> >
> > On the earlier thread regarding Lau, you (TOM) said that "Lau is describing an "off the plate"/accentuate THT/ make everything an outside pitch near extension type swing". What are disadvantages of this swing? No power or cannot handle the inside pitch (but they are "off the plate" so you cannot exploit this weakness, so do you go out) or what? If I were playing/pitching against on of these type hitters, what should be my plan of attack and where is the Lau hitter's weakness and what is so flawed about what he teaches? What is the general consensus about change-ups, off-speed against this kind of hitter?
> >
> >
>
> The questions of an excellent student. I look forward to the answers. : )
>
> Mark H.

>>If I was pitching against a team of Lau followers I would say that !st I walk no one if their best hits are usually singles then why walk them.Some well have more tendencies than others .If they run like a deer then Im having them hit to the right side as much as possible,but realize that even the best of these hitters at the M.L. level well fail 65% of time or more.If I have a Boggs or Gwynn the best maybe at this style I don't let them hurt me in rbi situations and I just keep them off balance,change of speed and some location,yet it can get much deeper when you try to factor in the strength of a pitcher and the strength of a hitter and each of their tendencies and game situations.The best part is your not trying to combat a 3 run homer but if you have a team full of Bonds you either walk them all or often when you come in their they clear the bases.