Is rotation nonsense?

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Sep 29, 2008
1,401
63
Northeast Ohio
The reason I feel it is reasonable to describe the swing as rotational is -

As the front foot lands the head no longer has any forward movement and yet at the same time the bat is in full launch/load position. At this point, the bat head is over 90 degrees from the point of contact.

Since the human head stays in place and the bat head changes direction by over 90 degrees how does it get to the point of contact??

ANSWER: Rotation
 
Feb 25, 2020
953
93
There should be rotation. But the way the rotation is created is the important thing. If it was only rotation guys would start with their backs/butts facing the pitcher. And they would keep twirling around.

Hip extension is what you are onto with this post. Watch swings and watch belt buckles dance up and down near contact.
 

TDS

Mar 11, 2010
2,926
113
There should be rotation. But the way the rotation is created is the important thing. If it was only rotation guys would start with their backs/butts facing the pitcher. And they would keep twirling around.

Hip extension is what you are onto with this post. Watch swings and watch belt buckles dance up and down near contact.

Both hips extending :)
 
Feb 25, 2020
953
93
got any examples to show us?

Sure thing. Hip extension is not just leg/hip movement. What it really does is use the glutes and hamstrings to catapult the entire torso.(the bat is attached to this by the arms!) The kettlebell swing is useful to illustrate/isolate this movement.
Screenshot_20201025-115658.png
Here is hip flexion. (Yes the leg can be straight and the hip can be flexed).

Screenshot_20201025-115737.png
Here is hip extended. The weight moves as the torso is catapulted up/rearward.

Here's what it looks like in real time(since some people dont like stills).


As far as swinging a bat goes, Freeman is probably the easiest to see. The famous "bonds offspeed" is also a great example(maybe someone has it on speed dial).

Hamilton is pretty cool to watch as his torso and hips pretty much stop rotating as his hips extend. His arms keep swing around but his entire body straightens and is pretty rigid. (This pertains more to what shawn was seeing I think)

Cruz is a good example as his head actually moves rearward as his hips extend.

Betts's belt buckle dances around pretty nicely.










 
Nov 30, 2018
359
43
Marikina, Philippines
Sure thing. Hip extension is not just leg/hip movement. What it really does is use the glutes and hamstrings to catapult the entire torso.(the bat is attached to this by the arms!) The kettlebell swing is useful to illustrate/isolate this movement.
View attachment 19773
Here is hip flexion. (Yes the leg can be straight and the hip can be flexed).

View attachment 19774
Here is hip extended. The weight moves as the torso is catapulted up/rearward.

Here's what it looks like in real time(since some people dont like stills).


As far as swinging a bat goes, Freeman is probably the easiest to see. The famous "bonds offspeed" is also a great example(maybe someone has it on speed dial).

Hamilton is pretty cool to watch as his torso and hips pretty much stop rotating as his hips extend. His arms keep swing around but his entire body straightens and is pretty rigid. (This pertains more to what shawn was seeing I think)

Cruz is a good example as his head actually moves rearward as his hips extend.

Betts's belt buckle dances around pretty nicely.



What is important is that you see Freeman's core and back knee directed at LF, and his full-extension is pointed at LF, where he hit the ball. And still with a barred-arm he barely connected off the end of the bat.
 

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Oct 13, 2014
5,471
113
South Cali
1603848264676.gif

1603848325766.gif

teds pretty upright here while coming outta posture.

posture isn’t an end all. Guys can adjust other ways. Plenty of guys who use hip flexion, knee flexion and their arms and hands to adjust.

there are pros and cons to both. Nothing is absolute. 🙂
 

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