Posted by: THG () on Mon Oct 1 16:35:04 2007

> Jack -
>
> I think as part of the on the fly adjustment for the high heater, you have to get the axis leaned more forward/more upright which requires keeping the back shoulder up and finetuning shoulder tilt with elevation of lead arm/shoulder as needed.
>
> This keeping the shoulders up makes more weight flow forward via less hinge/sit of the back leg, back leg slaves to shoulder action in this case.
>
> The shoulder "tilt" action also resists turning so that the torso coil timing and direction can end with a quicker stretch and release rather than turnging the shoulders, so this is how I think you control the "separation" as opposed to it being just inertia between hips turning at one end and shoulders at the other.
>
> The "weight shift" feeling has more to do with the result of how upper and lower body synch to wind the rubber band prior to and at toe touch, most similar to the old fashioned golf swing.
>
> A KEY here is for front heel to drop and weight to finish shifting when the shoulders tilt and prior to this to have started torso coil by handle torquing as the front leg turns open some.
>
> That is why I divide the swing into the discrete phases I do:
>
> 1- inward turn of whole body, required to prepare for early batspeed, neg move
>
> 2-hip and hand cock , positive move, maximum tip/cocking of bat
>
> 3- wind rubber band, start torso coiling with handle torque and opening of front leg then hips
>
> 4- drop and tilt, shoulders tilt as weight shift finishes and axis/load is set
>
> 5- unloading of torso coil drives bathead


Jack. With regard to the linear contibution I would use Babe Ruth as a prime example of why their is or at least can be a linear contribution.

The leg load of the inward turn is using the long stride of Babe Ruth induces more of an elastic pull on the body which when unloaded appears to contribute more energy to the swing. As the stride is finished, the energy of the CHPextends through the front leg as Ruth comes around to contact. The energy produced is so great as to cause Ruth to end in a cork screw position.

I do understand that the corkscrew motion takes place after contact. But I believe the resulting follow through is set in motion because of the energy Ruth generates which was initiated by his downward hitch, inward knee turn and long stride which is a version of the archers pulling the bow.

I would agree with you that stride length has to do with timing. But the greater the batspeed the more a Sosa or Bonds can use a longer stride, hitch, or other pre launch movements. And I think that we are fooling ourselves if we think hitters that lack the same batspeed and or swing quickness/ability can use those same preset principles and be as effective.