Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Thu Feb 6 13:13:30 2003

Go to http://www.mavenvideo.com/downloads.htm#quick_tip_anchor and download the special interactive quick tip which purports to demonstrate the difference between good hitting mechanics and bad hitting mechanics. What say you?
> > > >
> > > > Mark H.
> > >
> > > THe funny thing is that neither of these swings is the linear fps swing. the 'bad' swing is a horrible LL-type loop complete with collapsing back side. I have seen these in fps games. Horrible swings of all sorts exist.
> > > The 'good' swing is not too bad. The back elbow works under a bit too much and the disconnect happens but just after contact. She is not knob-to-ball. She is turning into the ball and bringing the bat to the ball with her body. No weight shift once rotation starts. Its a pretty good swing. Could be improved but its anything but a typical fps swing.
> >
> > I agree, if this swing was the rule instead of the exception, fp would be light years ahead of where it is at now. I thought disconnect was earlier around frames 13 to 15, just before contact. Also maybe some wasted early rotation? because of no THT/flail. Good seperation/stretch across the mid torso, I thought she set up rotation pretty well. There are definitely some technical deficiencies after rotation starts, pretty good over all though.
>
> Considering the status of women's fastpitch hitting I'd take 9 or the "goodgirl" in my lineup. However, did you read the list of things that make this a good fastpitch swing.
>
> 1. Good weight shift
> 2. Level shoulders
> 3. Eyes on the ball until contact
> 4. Rear foot pivots so heel faces away from pitcher
>
> Of all the things Epstein talks about, the one he's dead right about is "Do We Teach What We Really See?" How can someone watch the "goodgirl" clip and claim weight shift and level shoulders are the basics of that swing? Clearly rotating around an axis and clearly has a dip to rear shoulder (although I think it could be more).

Don't be too hard on the 'coach' who put the videos together.
1. Good weight shift - it is a good weight shift and the 'bad' girl has no weight shift, she collapses on the back side
2. Level shoulders - the 'bad' girl totally loses her back side and the shoulder drops creating a huge looping swing
3. Eyes on the ball until contact - 'bad' girl's head pulls up, 'good' girl's head stays focused where it should be
4. Rear foot pivots so heel faces away from pitcher - not too different between them here

Mostly, the 'coach' doesn't understand swings very well and uses a lot of 'typical' stuff. Maybe he's one of those 'I know it when I see it' coaches. He sure can't explain it.
Funny that he picks the type of bad swing that anyone would agree is a disaster and compares it to pretty good swing. Totally avoids comparing the fps swing to anything.