Teaching the high level pattern

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May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
What I see in a lot of Richards stuff is a backwards finish of the head that looks off balance. Sort of leaning backwards. I am not trying to pick on this player here just saying what I am seeing. I also see a crazy high finish of the hands. Also Trout gets leveraged and then he swings, he never shows the shift is the swing pattern.


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He is off balance as all get out right here. I don't get it. This is just not a good thing.

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There are quite a lot of pros who finish with a rearward lean - sometimes even Trout. It's not uncommon at all.
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My DD went though a phase in her work with Mike that developed an exaggerated head-behind-the-hip relationship.
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It was about developing a feel for what Mike was trying to instruct. In the context of her game swing, it's significantly less pronounced.

As for Haley's high hands, this is a quirk of this particular player (I've known her since she was 12), not something that's a part of the HLP instruction.
 
Nov 16, 2017
406
63
If you didn’t want to embark on a TM love fest why would you click on a thread called “Teaching the high level pattern” ? Did you expect to see an analysis of Shakespeare?
I thought the thread was call "Teaching" not "Worshiping". Teaching should include dissenting opinions. In fact, questioning the motivations and methods is crucial to understanding. If one can't field and defend one's positions then I have got zero confidence in what they teach. Sorry to offend or hurt anyones feelings.

Doesn't Richard take questions at the end of his seminars? Why?
 
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Nov 16, 2017
406
63
There are quite a lot of pros who finish with a rearward lean - sometimes even Trout. It's not uncommon at all.
View attachment 25774View attachment 25775View attachment 25776

My DD went though a phase in her work with Mike that developed an exaggerated head-behind-the-hip relationship.
View attachment 25777

It was about developing a feel for what Mike was trying to instruct. In the context of her game swing, it's significantly less pronounced.

As for Haley's high hands, this is a quirk of this particular player (I've known her since she was 12), not something that's a part of the HLP instruction.
I am going to have to disagree on Trout with the reward lean, actually none of those pics show that. That angle you posted is more from the front, not the side. Look at the forehead position and then look at TM himself and some of the HLP hitters. Chin up, forehead back. Trout, Freeman forehead down, chin down.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
I thought the thread was call "Teaching" not "Worshiping". Teaching should include dissenting opinions. In fact, questioning the motivations and methods is crucial to understanding. If one can't field and defend one's positions then I have got zero confidence in what they teach. Sorry to offend or hurt anyones feelings.

Doesn't Richard take questions at the end of his seminars? Why?
I took the thread to be HOW Mike teaches a certain method of hitting so, to me, a legitimate question would be about why a certain drill would work in the context of HLP. Like you alluded to, the other recent thread (along with 2000 others) are for questioning HLP itself..

Of course if you are just looking to argue then I like doing that too..
 
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Aug 20, 2017
1,474
113
There are quite a lot of pros who finish with a rearward lean - sometimes even Trout. It's not uncommon at all.
View attachment 25774View attachment 25775View attachment 25776

My DD went though a phase in her work with Mike that developed an exaggerated head-behind-the-hip relationship.
View attachment 25777

It was about developing a feel for what Mike was trying to instruct. In the context of her game swing, it's significantly less pronounced.

As for Haley's high hands, this is a quirk of this particular player (I've known her since she was 12), not something that's a part of the HLP instruction.
You have to exaggerate things when teaching hitting.
There are quite a lot of pros who finish with a rearward lean - sometimes even Trout. It's not uncommon at all.
View attachment 25774View attachment 25775View attachment 25776

My DD went though a phase in her work with Mike that developed an exaggerated head-behind-the-hip relationship.
View attachment 25777

It was about developing a feel for what Mike was trying to instruct. In the context of her game swing, it's significantly less pronounced.

As for Haley's high hands, this is a quirk of this particular player (I've known her since she was 12), not something that's a part of the HLP instruction.
I agree with things being less pronounced in game swings for most hitters. Drills are used to exaggerate the feel of doing something. In a controlled environment, certain things will look exaggerated if the player is focused on that specific feel.

The feeling of the head working rearwards is a good teach for all hitters no matter the method being taught. Helps with hip/core rotation, shoulder tilt, FSR, shortened path, connection, allows for deeper contact, more stretch due to core rotating against a resisting upper and tighter overall rotation.
 
Apr 2, 2015
1,198
113
Woodstock, man
The On and Around part of the HLP is what makes this method special IMO. This put together with the other principals can improve a hitters timing and adjustability to the pitched ball.


He's trying to correct his front elbow instruction problem (he actively raises it to flip the hands), and he almost gets it right here, but no pro does this dip/lean backwards, then rotate action that he demos here. Pros turn as they drop their back shoulder - in unison.

So like most hitting instruction, he takes a flaw and creates another one. But, carry on.

He has the right idea, but he hasn't quite figured out how to achieve it. But, he's putting himself out there, gotta give him credit.
 
Oct 2, 2017
2,283
113
He's trying to correct his front elbow instruction problem (he actively raises it to flip the hands), and he almost gets it right here, but no pro does this dip/lean backwards, then rotate action that he demos here. Pros turn as they drop their back shoulder - in unison.

So like most hitting instruction, he takes a flaw and creates another one. But, carry on.

He has the right idea, but he hasn't quite figured out how to achieve it. But, he's putting himself out there, gotta give him credit.
What front elbow instruction problem are you referring to?
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I am going to have to disagree on Trout with the reward lean, actually none of those pics show that. That angle you posted is more from the front, not the side. Look at the forehead position and then look at TM himself and some of the HLP hitters. Chin up, forehead back. Trout, Freeman forehead down, chin down.

More from the front? Umm...no they're not. Forehead and chin down happens when you're tracking a ball to hit. It's irrelevant when you're demonstrating and action in the rear hip socket. I would agree that TM's head position in his demonstration is a common distraction from what he's actually trying to communicate. and a lot of people can't manage to see past it.
 

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