What is the engine, the back leg? What is the engine IYO?
Spinal engine
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What is the engine, the back leg? What is the engine IYO?
- Apr 11, 2015
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While I don't disagree with the statement, I also don't have a problem with using "hips" in instruction vs that of the "core". Simply because the core has more parts to it than just the hips, and is a much broader area for a young hitter to have to contemplate its usage when using it over the other.
Also pretty much all hitters regardless of age are able to "put their hands on their hips" when asked, and can fairly easily figure out how to "turn them" by using the core (without turning their shoulders). But if I asked them to point to turn their "core", well, not so much...and I've got a 50-50 shot that those that do know where it is, when asked to turn it, will turn their torso instead just as much is their propensity to turn their hips.
I just prescribe to the K.I.S.S. method of instruction, and find that most kids are a lot more familiar with the common names of the bones of their body but not so much with all of the names of the muscles that move those bones...so I just stick with that.
- Apr 11, 2015
- 877
- 63
While not a bad correlation, the only problem with it is that the crankshaft is actually a component of the power producing engine. In that as power is generated in one cylinder to move the crankshaft, which turns the crankshaft that then transfer that power to move another cylinder, and thus makes it truly part of the power creating "engine".
Whereas the turning spine does not really transfer power to another body part (unless I guess if someone had a fused spine), and is thus simply an axis that the power produced elsewhere is moved around. I think the driveshaft and/or axle is a little bit better "driveline" part if we're using the analogy of that of a car.
But needless to say, whether we think of it as the crankshaft or the driveshaft, it's still part of the entire system used to move the car, or move the body to hit a softball. But it's just my opinion that to try to get some hidden energy or "engine" out of it, is more just an exercise in futility, and our time can be much better spent on focusing on the really "absolutes" needed to hit a round ball with a round stick. Just saying...
There can and should be some stored up energy around the spine. As the hips open first while the shoulders remain closed. Catapult or X factor or whatever else you want to call it. I don't think the spine is an engine either.
- Apr 11, 2015
- 877
- 63
Agreed, and I hope we can agree (or maybe for clarification for others) that that energy is also not stored in the spine either...but rather as you say "around" it.
Like Muds brother said just think about hitting the round ball with the round thing. I would just be copy and pasting any way. I don't think about the spine and don't mention anything about the spine when working with DD.
I will say that as far as 'engines' go.....maybe the lower half is the engine.....hips don't include the lower half...they are part of the upper half.....and guess what there's a second engine......the rear leg is the driver.
That 'stuff' I find interesting and not something my DD needs to know about hitting a softball. I may give DD hints to tweak and move her swing along. Again, it's 'stuff' that I find interesting and helps fight off the boredom.
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I also do not think about the spine. But if I did, it would be in regards to the muscles surrounding the spine, as others have mentioned. My concern with the spine engine discussion is that I think it can create a goal of turning the body. While the body does turn, I prefer to view it as a result rather than a goal.
Thanks just wanted to hear your thoughts.
How about this the entire torso is treated as a limb. The awareness you have of limb is the same awareness you try to achieve with the torso/limb.
Gracovetsky did a lot for the study of the spine....however his theory is ...a theory. If he had of named it the spinal-pelvic engine...that would of been more appropriate IMO.... but then he would of had more of a problem trying to fit it into his evolution theory.
So those studying this.... may keep it in perspective...consider that the man with no limbs....does have a pelvis..which without, he wouldn't be ambulating. Many moons ago..i treated a man with total Ankylosing Spondylitis (total fusion of every vertebrae). He also could ambulate (walk).
The importance of the role that the pelvic region plays (both spinal/pelvic junction & hip/pelvic junction) ....in human movement and athletic movement… is huge of course.
Learn to move, train the core and knock the snot out of it!
So those studying this.... may keep it in perspective...consider that the man with no limbs....does have a pelvis..which without, he wouldn't be ambulating. Many moons ago..i treated a man with total Ankylosing Spondylitis (total fusion of every vertebrae). He also could ambulate (walk).
The importance of the role that the pelvic region plays (both spinal/pelvic junction & hip/pelvic junction) ....in human movement and athletic movement… is huge of course.
Learn to move, train the core and knock the snot out of it!
