Weight shift

Work=wins said:

99% of the kids posted here looking for help have not been coached to ‘center’ their swing or ‘pivot’ their swing(ffs). Which is the root of a good hitting sequence. My description would be a balanced 50/50 ‘hitting position’. Some don’t care for it. To me it gives a hitter a goal of balanced. That’s why I use it. It shouldn’t be taken literally. Or statically.

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I guess a little of it has to do with the definition of "hitting position" vs. "launch position", and whether they are interpreted as one in the same, or two different locations/positions in the swing. If different, and "hitting position" is simply another name for "contact position" (or simply "at contact" because to me, "position" sounds as if it's somewhat static..might just be me though) I'm in agreement.

However I believe that "launch position" is going to be slightly different in that the hitter's weight would/should still be "back" a bit in order to have a slight bit of body weight or weight "shift" available to take into the ball at contact. Now how much "back" is "back? Varies with a hitter's style, but 55-60% wise I'm fine with...more than that, and I think the hitter would have a tendency to be "leaning back" with the upper half vs simply "being back" with the total body weight distribution.

Personally I believe balance is the BIGGEST FUNDAMENTAL IN HITTING. I concentrate a lot on the shift of the swing. It’s what keeps a hitter balanced. There are other things as well such as path. But balance is my most worked on thing in the sequence.

Keep in mind I try to keep it as simple as I can.Not for my hitters. But for my sanity.

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No disagreement here, "dynamic balance" within the swing (which I know you talk about, and are looking for) is as key a component to the swing as any other that's ever talked about.

FiveFrameSwing said:

Bonds would do the same thing.

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Yes he does. I read a long time ago about the Javelin throw where throwers used a flexed idea going into foot plant. Throwers from the US were being taught rotation/hips and blowing up their elbows. European throwers were using a flexion technique and out performing everyone.

The launch position (toe touch) or the coiled position happens in a state of flexion, one can adjust for timing in this state of flexion. The hitter prepares to swing and then swings. Prepares the launch position or coils and then swings. There should be flexion or quasi flexed (elasticity in the launch position) at the launch position.

Mudders Brudder said:

I guess a little of it has to do with the definition of "hitting position" vs. "launch position", and whether they are interpreted as one in the same, or two different locations/positions in the swing. If different, and "hitting position" is simply another name for "contact position" (or simply "at contact" because to me, "position" sounds as if it's somewhat static..might just be me though) I'm in agreement.

However I believe that "launch position" is going to be slightly different in that the hitter's weight would/should still be "back" a bit in order to have a slight bit of body weight or weight "shift" available to take into the ball at contact. Now how much "back" is "back? Varies with a hitter's style, but 55-60% wise I'm fine with...more than that, and I think the hitter would have a tendency to be "leaning back" with the upper half vs simply "being back" with the total body weight distribution.

No disagreement here, "dynamic balance" within the swing (which I know you talk about, and are looking for) is as key a component to the swing as any other that's ever talked about.

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The weight is still back at the launch position, the swing has not started. The hips are still loaded, although that doesn't mean there isn't some movement forward as one prepares the launch position (coils, FBC).

It all depends on ones definition of ‘ launch ‘. Some feel it is from ‘behind’ some feel it is after the hands have moved forward slightly and still others believe it is during the ‘twitch’ or ‘pivot’. It’s a tough discussion...

Shawn said:

The weight is still back at the launch position, the swing has not started. The hips are still loaded, although that doesn't mean there isn't some movement forward as one prepares the launch position (coils, FBC).

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I think we're on the same page here. This is what I call the launch position or "position of power" (pop) as I learned it from Hudgens long ago....



So yes, there is "some movement forward"...and I personally see these (and most other HL hitters) guys as still being "back", and in still having slightly more weight "rearward" than "centered", but especially not a "forward" position.

EDIT: But I can see how someone might say they're in a 50/50 position here, so not gonna pic nits over it any longer.

Work=wins said:

It all depends on ones definition of ‘ launch ‘. Some feel it is from ‘behind’ some feel it is after the hands have moved forward slightly and still others believe it is during the ‘twitch’ or ‘pivot’. It’s a tough discussion...

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Yes, this has been problematic within these discussions for a long, long time. See, we do have areas of agreement when it comes to discussing the swing.

after the hands have moved forward

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A hitter is 'toast'......if they haven't 'launched' the/their swing. Can you say PUSH......Can you say DIRECT......

rdbass said:

A hitter is 'toast'......if they haven't 'launched' the/their swing. Can you say PUSH......Can you say DIRECT......

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With words it doesn’t make sense. Some believe ‘launch’ is the point of no return. So the hands coming forward would be the point of no return. That’s the reason for the description.

Some believe ‘launch’ is the point of no return.

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Some would be incorrect then...

It all depends on ones definition of ‘ launch ‘. Some feel it is from ‘behind’ some feel it is after the hands have moved forward slightly

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All show 'launch....

Abort after launch....................................................launch..

rdbass said:

Some would be incorrect then...

All show 'launch....

Abort after launch....................................................launch..

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Yeah. Other contest that launch would mean ‘launched’. Point of no return. Personally I don’t care. All I want is a match in body movements.Definitions are tough when there are different tangible mechanics for 1 definition. Personally I like when the hands ‘come forward with force’ as being ‘swing launch’. Different from the former , hands come forward a bit(that would be after my description). After all we are launching a bat so...that would be what’s being launched or swung. So theres that. jmo.