Posted by: Coach C () on Fri Jan 10 11:03:19 2003

The debate on rotational mechanics and linear weight transfer
> > > mechanics is as old as baseball itself. I'm not convinced it will
> > > ever be agreed upon, mainly because neither term really applies to my
> > > way of thinking.
> > > > Unfortunately the body is not constructed with a single pole in
> > > which to rotate upon, in fact, our legs, are like that of a tripod.
> > > They help keep us grounded and if one leg is straigter than the other
> > > we have hip or spine tilt. This straightning of the front leg is what
> > > generally turns a level cut into a slight upswing, or in some cases an
> > > extreme uppercut. The hip joints themselves do not turn, it is the
> > > torso, constructed from the base of the spine that creates the torque.
> > > However in an effort to add upper body torque, many hitters feel the
> > > strong need contribute excessive leg action (ie..hip thrust) to get
> > > the torso to turn. 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. This excessive
> > > leg action is what most hitting instructors have the hardest time
> > > seeing and teaching.
> > > > 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. Lock the front leg early in a baseball swing.....
> > > and I'll get beat. Now I must say, great hitters do lock there front
> > > leg normally (not always), however, it comes with a price even for
> > > them, but the real issue is how they go about locking the front leg.
> > > 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. But then I see the hitting instructor, getting a
> > > nice front knee bend, thereby, positioning the legs for all of this
> > > upper body torque. In golf they call it the "magic move." This magic
> > > move is a slight lateral slide while the upper body begins it
> > > unwinding (rotation). This to me is why the debate is never ending.
> > > Great atheletes/hitters can do both at the same time, but when either
> > > becomes excessive , then you have a issues in my opinion. This is why
> > > everyone looks different when they swing in my opinion.
> > > >
> > > > In summary the front leg becomes the core element of my teaching.
> > > If I can get a kid to keep this leg in contact with the ground at the
> > > initiation of the swing, but with good flexion and stability and I
> > > give this kid the best opportunity to be succesful. If I see kids
> > > locking legs than he or she will have problems, until they understand
> > > how the front leg is supposed to lock, by rotating laterally with
> > > athletic legs.
> > > >
> > > > The legs are stabalizers in a baseball swing, power drive is a
> > > distant second. When they are not in the best position for stability,
> > > they will fail and so too will the swing.
> > > >
> > > > In my humble opinion.
> > > >
> > > > Coach C,
> > > It is my understanding that Mr.Mankin's tape instructs us to step
> > > square (with front knee flexed),land lightly on the front toe(with
> > > front knee flexed),which allows the ankle to rotate the heel backwards
> > > therby facilitating the opening of the hips in a timely manner.The
> > > front knee does not straighten until close to or at contact.Would
> > > following this procedure jive with your post ?How does keeping the
> > > front
> >
> >
> > Simply stated on low pitches......Do not lock the front leg, the body needs to work up and down, not forward or back. If you lock your front leg on a low pitch you create angles and great pitchers will own that hitter. Try doing low tee work and see what kind of ball flight you generate with a locked front side (just check out the angle you create with the bat), you know spin and trajectory. Jack, as I've said, does a good job and I love his work, but I would not teach it that way....with all do respect. I have a saying and it goes........"Never judge those for who's shoes I have not walked" I respect Jack and believe he thinks he's right........This works for me!
> >
> > Coach C
>
> And that is a good philosophy for you. Because if no one judges anyone then everyones right........even when they are wrong.

Excellent point Judge Teacherman!!!