Hips open or closed?

coach james said:

The hips follow the angle of the front foot.... Ideally we like to see approximately 45deg, as this aids in the arms ability to make the brush contact.... Hips left completely open makes it VERY difficult to brush. The other point to be made here is if the front foot is too straight and points towards the catcher, she'll most likely strike her heel as the front foot lands, this causes a violent jolt up into the back... Asking for problems there. Although Abbott does this, and she's the fastest in the world... Odds are 99.9% of our daughters will never be the next Abbot. So open up, land at a 45 deg angle, snap the hip partially, get the drag foot on its tip toes no later than 9:00, ensure good brush contact on a very strong resisting front leg....and you'll be on the right path from there

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I am not sure how to double quote here but I want to bump this thread and quote JAD and Coach James. JAD's was posted above on the 2nd reply and quoting Coach J here. Snap the hip partially is bolded.

I have seen many recent questions regarding help increasing velocity for your DD. So many are focused on drive, drive, drive. Yes, drive is important and no doubt about it. But, IMHO, the overlooked mechanic on this site is Hip Snap or HIP TORQUE. IMHO, it is many times what is missing in so many posters on this site and I rarely see comments suggesting this is the missing component. I wish it was discussed more but it is not.

I would STRONGLY recommend looking at the Front Side Resistance sticky which ironically is the least replied or viewed sticky of them all. And...by the way, it was started by probably the best of the best, Rick Pauly. BM, you are right there as well IMO!

I think Rick's suggestions on the importance of Hip Snap, Hip Torque were unfortunately refuted early in the thread and therefore people stayed away.

I would also encourage anyone interested in this and looking for velocity to look at Cat Osterman's Olympic No Hitter (see Youtube) and focus on her hip snap. Watch Monica, watch Ueno, the best of the best and then try it yourself. You will see how important it really is and then you might ask yourself why more people are not talking about it.

Lastly, Rick has an amazing video on this. Google it or Youtube it. He mentions it is one of the secrets to velocity. IT IS! Start watching the hips on the best of the best and it will amaze you. NO, we are not talking about shutting or slamming the door! We are talking about Hip Snap or Hip Torque. It is powerful and chances are you are not focused on it! You are focused on driving and IR but leaving the middle part of your body untrained.

IMHO, you can have an amazing drive, and amazing IR, but still not reach what you are capable of. Why? Because Hip snap brings the legs and arms together (maybe not the best way to state it but that is what is coming to me now).

I am sure I will get some pushback on this post but I really think for many this is the missing ingredient and I hope it helps at least one person out there. BM has a student from years ago that he posted and on his youtube site. She is amazing and her hip snap is insane.

Again, look at the hip snap on the best and perhaps it will help.

S3

In case you wanted to see the video I mentioned above of what I believe was BM's student. BM, please forgive me if this was not your student but I seem to remember it was.....

STRIKE3 said:

In case you wanted to see the video I mentioned above of what I believe was BM's student. BM, please forgive me if this was not your student but I seem to remember it was.....

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Love the topic and the video. This gif stays on the phone for reference. To me, it looks to be great resistance with well timed adduction of the drive leg. Just my opinion.

Here's a couple more to ponder over. Some are more pronounced than others.

shaker1 said:

Love the topic and the video. This gif stays on the phone for reference. To me, it looks to be great resistance with well timed adduction of the drive leg. Just my opinion.

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Thank you Shaker for chiming in! Agree with your points and she is amazing. Yes, adduction of the drive leg is huge here. I would love to open the topic up on this one further and get feedback.

There are a couple of ways to look at this and possibly more. Do you drive the "drive leg" into the the plant leg thus pushing it forward or do you "pull" the drive leg into the plant leg via the core/hips. I personally believe there is a difference and that is where I believe hip snap/core torque comes in. The core is pulling the leg in after it pushes off the rubber.

Again, just my thoughts and I am always learning and never close minded to new ways to look at this. I just think we haven't visited this topic enough and I have studied Rick for years which has been a huge help. I found myself and my DD so focused on the drive and IR but missing on the middle piece which I believe is Core Torque. Once we spent some time (didn't take much) it was like night and day. Now I focus my time looking at the hips of pitchers and it was eye opening.

Again, thanks for the reply!

S3

Cat's hips are violent! The stop of them is crazy like the girl above.

Then you see what Ueno does before her stride foot lands

shaker1 said:

Then you see what Ueno does before her stride foot lands

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Exactly. Very nice!

Or you can go the other way. Believe this kid hits the mid 70's.

shaker1 said:

Or you can go the other way. Believe this kid hits the mid 70's.

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Who is that? I am thinking a pitcher for Oklahoma or Alabama? Let me know when you can. Thanks!