Last 'game swing'...what to work on?
- Thread starter vdubya
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I assume you're joking, but I don't see a smiley, or any other emoticon.
Rear leg abduction does take place. However IMO it is a big mistake to teach kids to actively push against the ground with their back foot to propel themselves forward in a linear direction toward the pitcher. Williams describes that action as escorting the bat towards the pitcher; which he considers a big no, no.
According to the Williams swing model, abduction is a function of the batter keeping their head centered between their feet when the front foot is lifted. IOW abduction/forward movement of the torso/head is necessary in order for the batter to stay balanced after the front foot is lifted.
According to the Williams swing model, the primary power source comes from the back and forth pendulum action of the hips; using your butt muscles. To truly understand the role of the back leg, it's important to understand that all muscles have an "Origination Point and an Insertion Point". The muscles that rotate and abduct the legs, Originate in the pelvic girdle and Insert into the upper leg bones. This means that the power source to work the legs comes from the butt muscles. Williams understood this better than most.
The role of the back foot/leg is to remain firm during transition in order to give the hips a launching pad. When the batter uses their butt muscles to turn their hips into the pitch, the rear foot tries to turn backward towards the catcher. The rear foot can't turn backward because the foot is in a cleat in the dirt. Instead of the back foot turning backwards, the hips turn forward.
Kids should not be told to do anything with their back leg to turn their hips forward. They should not for instance be told to lift their back heel on purpose into heel plant.
IMO the weight shift as described by Williams is not well understood. When I quote Williams on various hitting boards saying that the hip action is a spinning action with the head as the axis; the hitting gurus freak out. The gurus don't think Ted knew what he was talking about...which is laughable. If kids are simply taught to turn their hips back and forth off of a firm rear leg, as their torso/head comes forward during their stride (stride is really the torso coming forward in order to keep the head centered between the feet); they will end up with a nice weight shift with minimal forward linear movement. There is a clip on here of my DD demonstrating the back and forth hip action that I am describing.
Some seem to think that if you turn your hips back and forth, you will spin. Not so if the batter makes sure NOT to do anything on purpose to turn the back leg inwards. When the hips transition from turning back to turning forward, there will be a tremendous amount of pressure built up at the back foot because the back foot is in a cleat in the dirt and can't turn backwards. The batter does not want to do anything on purpose with the back leg to relieve that pressure...leak that pressure. The pressure goes away on it's on, all at once; once the hips are launched forward and the weight shift is underway.
IMO Williams' weight shift model is ideal for fastpitch because it minimizes forward linear movement, while placing the emphasis on using the hips from a balanced position.
- Oct 25, 2009
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No, I'm not joking, that's an ugly swing. Maybe a necessary swing, but still ugly.
Or, at least, the finish is ugly. That's more what I'm seeing I guess.
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I guess I differ from everyone else but i dont like lower half at all. It's more of a sway,weight the bag leg than a gd coil. Her front side is pulling her hands instead of the back side. Which IMO is why her bat deflects after contact instead of going into extension. There is no whip in her swing its all push. Just my .02
Are you talking about Posey's swing, or the original posted swing of the girl?
Yes, the girl's swing is ugly, but you posted below Posey's clip.
- Oct 25, 2009
- 3,339
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I was talking about Posey but you've made me take closer looks. I believe I'm judging his swing by the way he finished. Before the finish his swing is good. I'm talking mainly about the back knee collapsing to the ground almost.
- Oct 10, 2011
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Wow, tough crowd. As far as the lower half is concerned, if my DD looked like that, I'd go pop open that old bottle of champagne in the basement, and then start tweaking things at our next practice!
All I can do is shake my head in incredulity. I tore my ACL and watched way way too many Giants games this year. Posey, catcher, batting title. Enough said.
On the other hand, but just as ridiculous, I've seen people in here mention Pence. Now there is the closest thing you are going to see to a little league swing in MLB. Love the guy, he has tons of heart, hustle, and enough talent to compensate, which is really saying something.
Back to Posey, he had more hits that flew farther and were hit harder than I thought off the bat that anyone I've seen. Not enough is said about hitting with the sweet spot. BP puts the sweet spot on the ball more than anyone IMO, it's uncanny
- Oct 25, 2009
- 3,339
- 48
No doubt about Posey being a great player! But you like the finish?
