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Howe

Blowhard in training
Aug 28, 2013
1,922
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I've seen a few threads where our internet gurus are struggling to incorporate Direction - or how/when it's employed into the swing - into their theories.
  • Some say you "Launch the barrel THEN direct it".
  • Others say you "Whip the barrel AND direct it".
  • And still some others say you "Whip the barrel IN a direction".
They are all trying to be right - without saying they were ever wrong. And without ADMITTING that the hand direction - the DIRECTION that the hands HAVE THE BODY FACILITATE - has to be the binding relationship of eye/hand coordination. The fact is, whip happens if you set it up to happen BUT it is not the goal. The goal is to square the barrel with the ball. That means getting the read right first. There is length between the handle and barrel. Knowing where that barrel is - knowing where the handle has to be - to square it through the ball IS NOT A THEN PROCESS. And using the word's "AND" or "IN" is a cover up for admitting DIRECTION is first. It's EGO first for these guys.

Don't believe me? Bautista used to wait and try to whip at the ball - at the last possible second. Once he learned to start slow and early - while reading the pitch - he says his HANDS (NOT BARREL) flew through the zone.
 

Howe

Blowhard in training
Aug 28, 2013
1,922
0
Posey_InMidOuWLines.gif


Get the hands right at the top - no detours.

The "thinking without thinking" comes from burning into memory (read/react) for any pitch:
  • NOT a fb inner half - the knob cuts more of the opposite batters box. (not fb inner half includes all breaking balls outer/inner and fb's away). What Donny said.
  • fb inner half - the knob goes to the pitcher.
Hands inside the ball. Hitting at 90 degree angles to the incoming location. You don't turn the barrel first and THEN find the ball. There is no adjustability or matching hand-path with that. Folks who subscribe to that are stuck trying to duplicate an effect, rather than duplication the cause...
 

Howe

Blowhard in training
Aug 28, 2013
1,922
0
Some more evidence - thought of Direction first.



There is no time to "turn the barrel" THEN "find the ball". This collage is the undeniable truth. Watch how SOON in the swing-launch he gets his hands where they need to be.
 
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Howe

Blowhard in training
Aug 28, 2013
1,922
0
Almost EVERYONE who follows along, understands that I use the term Launch "as in" Barrel Launch, to describe the release of the barrel through the ball - or the LAUNCH of the barrel through the ball.

And when I describe the beginning of the SWING, I use the term "swing Launch".

Here's Manny, Launching the barrel through the ball. He's releasing the loaded barrel through the ball:
MohawkLaunch.gif


Swing launch and barrel launch are mutually exclusive. Fact!

Miggy already knew the Direction he was going to take his hands - many frames before you see the RED dots. He knew before SWING LAUNCH. ONE MOVE - Direct/Load. More Fact! And educated hands carry the LOAD to LAUNCH - where the barrel is LAUNCHED through the ball.

 
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Howe

Blowhard in training
Aug 28, 2013
1,922
0
What I have explained and presented for a very long time now is boldly different from those who claim the BARREL IS LAUNCHED THEN DIRECTED. In fact, they don't even TALK about hand-path. It is completely missing from their vernacular. They think the barrel is flung, like a forefinger being flicked by the resistance of the thumb....

Well, I think the point is now hitting home. Human nature is such, that if you don't understand; either you discover or deny. For some of those denier's, they will do anything to save face once they discover. :D :D :D Or they will claim they knew all along.

btw grandpa, still waiting for your work. Grandpa likes to send PM's.
 
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Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Almost EVERYONE who follows along, understands that I use the term Launch "as in" Barrel Launch, to describe the release of the barrel through the ball - or the LAUNCH of the barrel through the ball.

And when I describe the beginning of the SWING, I use the term "swing Launch".

Here's Manny, Launching the barrel through the ball. He's releasing the loaded barrel through the ball:
MohawkLaunch.gif


Swing launch and barrel launch are mutually exclusive. Fact!

Miggy already knew the Direction he was going to take his hands - many frames before you see the RED dots. He knew before SWING LAUNCH. ONE MOVE - Direct/Load. More Fact! And educated hands carry the LOAD to LAUNCH - where the barrel is LAUNCHED through the ball.


Using this framework, a "checked swing" comes after swing launch but before barrel launch. Almost makes too much sense!
 

Howe

Blowhard in training
Aug 28, 2013
1,922
0
Remember now, we were being told that Direction comes after the Barrel is Launched and spent (Launch THEN Direct), remember? Launched and Spent would be a term I would use if the barrel was RELEASED...

I see 6 different Directions and the barrel still is not Launched/Released:
 
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JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
Since this is basically a continuation of the closed thread, minus tamprage, and I am sitting out in center field watching a 4 hour practice. I have ample opportunity to chime in now that I had a chance to re-read, swing a little, think about it during my 3 hour commute home last night (thank you LA).

The very first thing I played with was the finger snapping idea. I found quickly that it does not hold any merit at all and should be completely dropped as any explanation of what the load and stretch are doing.

The argument is that the loading against the rear leg/hip etc will create an opposition of forces that can be suddenly launched when released and this action is a force multiplier like snapping the already loaded fingers. The problem is that the finger snap has two opposing forces THAT are NOT coupled in any way so the muscles can act in direct opposition. There is no muscle group in the legs/core/core back that can provide this INDEPENDENT loading action like the fingers can. Some muscle groups can resist other muscle groups so you do load and you do stretch, but there is no FULLY INDEPENDENT OPPOSITION such that you can simply remove the blocks and the car takes off- which is what the finger does in a flick. you can remove the blocks and slowly turn but there is no position you can put yourself in where the REMOVAL of a blocking mechanism with cause a sudden firing. seems like such a basic point that it doesn't bear mentioning but as the construct gets more complicated I think you have to really get specific and only use analogies that are accurate.

The PROOF is simple- if this action were possible. Then you would see a drastic acceleration difference of the barrel between what is called a "push" swing and the HI high level pattern approved swings. and I mean like Twice as fast drastic- just like if i videoed my fingers flicking with the thumb being a stop and release mechanism vs. just trying to flick with starting from a bent finger with no blocking mechanism I would see a MUCH faster acceleration and contact force in the former.


So I have to go with myth busted on at least the finger flicking analogy.

This doesn't relate directly to the direct-launch vs. launch-direct debate but as you step through the results of what it means IF you accept the finger snapping analogy is not valid then it starts to relate.

That is enough for now. More to come when I get a computer.
 
May 3, 2014
2,149
83
The resistance(s)are in the sagittal plane and once released leads to transverse and frontal movement. Someone thinks that resistance is held in the transverse/frontal planes.
 

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