FastpitchFan
Softball fan
I am probably opening a can of worms but I have to say it...
I have to say - I am personally growing tired of that debate linear vs. rotational as I think there is no such thing as either linear or rotational.
I don't consider myself to be a ''hitting guru'' but I think it's one of my strengths as a softball coach. I like to teach it and I understand it very well which is helped by my background in exercise science - physiology and biomechanics.
I have seen most of the tapes and reviewed the material of most people - Mike Candrea, Sue Enquist, Mike Epstein, Steve Englishbey, Don Slaught, Pat Murphy, Ken Ericksen, etc. I have actually spoken to all of them personally except one.
Today, I was looking at sample swings described as rotational by a ''rotational hitting guru'' and couldn't stop but notice that the swings themselves are similar to what Don Slaught has in RVP who is considered to be more of a linear guy.
Here is a fact:
Most if not all the best hitters in the world - baseball or softball - have a linear AND a rotation component to them.
You create forces by adding together angular (rotational) and linear velocity.
Actually, I looked at over 30 swings today for fun of elite players (baseball and softball - most of them on ''rotational'' sites) and just about every swing are linear to start with (slight trigger or loading or negative move followed by a stride or a positive move forward to toe touch) - that part is VERY COMMON in all elite hitters and is a linear mechanism - which then followed by the swing itself which has a rotational component to it.
Now, some hitters / hitting instructor will emphasize one aspect or another but really, there is NO SUCH THING as a linear or a rotational swing. Every swing has both components.
It is a matter of biomechanics - you need both to maximize bat speed and hitting power.
Every sports moves out there is linear and rotational - golf swings, tennis shots, softball or baseball throwing, javelin throwing, etc.
Name it - it has both linear and rotational components.
I think a lot of people believe in different aspects of the swing but at the end of the day, the fundamental principles of hitting aren't that different from one coach to another - they just focus on different things and use a different terminology.
I agree there are some differences but I don't like the ... are you rotational or are you linear? Like there was some sorts of right or wrong.
Marc
I have to say - I am personally growing tired of that debate linear vs. rotational as I think there is no such thing as either linear or rotational.
I don't consider myself to be a ''hitting guru'' but I think it's one of my strengths as a softball coach. I like to teach it and I understand it very well which is helped by my background in exercise science - physiology and biomechanics.
I have seen most of the tapes and reviewed the material of most people - Mike Candrea, Sue Enquist, Mike Epstein, Steve Englishbey, Don Slaught, Pat Murphy, Ken Ericksen, etc. I have actually spoken to all of them personally except one.
Today, I was looking at sample swings described as rotational by a ''rotational hitting guru'' and couldn't stop but notice that the swings themselves are similar to what Don Slaught has in RVP who is considered to be more of a linear guy.
Here is a fact:
Most if not all the best hitters in the world - baseball or softball - have a linear AND a rotation component to them.
You create forces by adding together angular (rotational) and linear velocity.
Actually, I looked at over 30 swings today for fun of elite players (baseball and softball - most of them on ''rotational'' sites) and just about every swing are linear to start with (slight trigger or loading or negative move followed by a stride or a positive move forward to toe touch) - that part is VERY COMMON in all elite hitters and is a linear mechanism - which then followed by the swing itself which has a rotational component to it.
Now, some hitters / hitting instructor will emphasize one aspect or another but really, there is NO SUCH THING as a linear or a rotational swing. Every swing has both components.
It is a matter of biomechanics - you need both to maximize bat speed and hitting power.
Every sports moves out there is linear and rotational - golf swings, tennis shots, softball or baseball throwing, javelin throwing, etc.
Name it - it has both linear and rotational components.
I think a lot of people believe in different aspects of the swing but at the end of the day, the fundamental principles of hitting aren't that different from one coach to another - they just focus on different things and use a different terminology.
I agree there are some differences but I don't like the ... are you rotational or are you linear? Like there was some sorts of right or wrong.
Marc