Posted by: Coach C () on Fri Jan 10 09:19:42 2003

>>> I'm going back under my rock, only to return another day. I read the site often and will chime in from time to time. Keep up the good work and for some the old, "see ball, hit ball" still works. Kids perform much better without thinking, we sometimes need to let them fail and give them the ability to fix problems on there own. They are smarter than we think. Sometimes I'm not as smart as I think, but that's another issue!!! Take care! <<<
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> Hi Coach C
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> Thank you for bringing up some good points for discussion. Now that the front leg debate is over, I will give you a brief overview (with commits) of now I intrepid your message to us.
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> (1) “Sitting is the forward/lateral slide that I'm speaking of, the weight transfer that takes place (hopefully minimal), and as the weight transfers, the front leg will resist (locking), thus forcing the spine tilt and the hips to turn. This move......the magic move.....” --- This seems to me much like the “back to center” theory Dave Huggins and others have taught for years. Only Dave would have the batter stride to a posted front leg. – With your style, when during the swing would you have the batter start (locking) the front leg for resistance to cause hip turn?
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> (2) “I have a real concern with anyone that preaches straight legs in the baseball swing, mainly because straight legs create angles and also lock hips, which contribute to bad balance. In any sport that I lock my legs I get beat.” --- There is a vast difference between striding to a straight leg and striding to a well flexed front leg and using the straightening of the leg to drive rotation.
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> (3) “Getting into that all too familiar "sit to hit position" is the art of a great athlete and generally a great hitter. In viewing Jacks video I see the kids just straightening the front leg, with never the notion of sitting to hit.” --- You are correct, although I believe the hitter should have plenty of flex in both legs at launch, I do not believe in what you call “sitting to hit.” Sounds very similar to “squashing the bug” to me.
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> (4) “Normally it is young hitters that create this excessive leg action that never really feel the torso power. In other words they combine the torso turn with the leg thrust.” --- I would say that leg thrust SHOULD combine with torso turn to maximize shoulder rotation. What purpose do see for hip rotation if it is not to aid torso turn???
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> Well Coach C, there is a lot of points for a good discussion here, so maybe you can return a little earlier than planned.
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> Jack Mankin




You do a great job! Thanks for listening.

Squashing the bug is taboo for me, the rear heel is pulled. In golf, a term often used is the "Snead Squat" in freeze frame it looked like he was sitting, both legs bent, yet the rear foot was pulled up at impact. Many a Major Leaguer have this rear foot pull. I believe the lead leg then becomes the post for rotation. for me it becomes evident when the spine tilt angle matches the lead leg angle. The problem with posting the lead leg too early is that it reduces the margin for error in timing, but we post anyway.

Jack you will not agree with this, but I let upper torso turn drive the legs, not the other way around. The power of the upper torso doing it's work, gives the legs a strong sense of power, not from driving but from stability, thus the stride becomes a balancing move, to prepare for the upper body torque. Balance with my legs then becomes a flex in both legs position (sitting to hit). I have always felt my arms, chest and stomach are the initiaters and my power source for hitting, the hands hold on loosely for the ride. This upperbody torque creates a slight lateral shift along with rotation. The key for me to reduce excessive lateral shift is to learn how to hit the ball deeper in the strike zone. If we teach kids to hit the ball inside the front foot, we can program the back to center move (lateral and rotational) to be a part of the swing. I think you need to move that bag back 6 to 12 inches for training. I want kids to feel their chest and rear thigh in the swing. If the upper torso does what it's supposed to, and the strong legs become the anchor, the power becomes effortless. This is my feel. In golf and in tennis, we want strong legs for balance, not for driving. I feel my lower back and stomach are the keys to power, and strong legs are required to support the power. Many have done it differently for sure, but this to me makes the most sense. Larry Walker displays the qualities I teach. No disrespect to Bonds, but Larry Walker has the perfect swing to me. His lower body is more stable than anyone I've ever seen. I can tell he would do well in any sport he played, unfortunately he has had repeated injuries and from all indications doesn't train much....probably doesn't do steriods either, like we suspect some may.

Oh well, the debate goes on.....thanks.

Coach C