2012 -
When you learn a skill like swinging/hitting it requires different types of "cues", some that are more objectively/visually correct and some that are more kinesthetically/feel correct. This is well described in golf as the diference between fact and feel or real and feel. In the swing, Nyman at setpro calls it "cues v reality".
So if you watched the golf tournament yesterday, for example, they commented that one of the players was taking a practice swing as part of his routine that did not resemble (visually/on video) his "real" swing at all. the player explained that he and his coach were practicing a certain feel they wanted to emphasize in the swing.
Often these "feels" need to be exaggerated and so do some of the visual aspects of the swing itself to make changes/learn patterns more purely.
With regard to this situation, the "FEEL" of barrel above hands may be useful.
The actual path of the hands is usually down, but may feel more down than it appears.
Another example in throwing which is similar to loading for the swing is "keeping the back elbow up" while when you look at video, you can actually see the elbow comes down some, BUT when using this "feel cue" you tend to encourage the right type of "slotting" action/arm sequence.
So the important thing is to not get confused by whatever instruction you get, while understanding that feel cues that violate appearance are not only OK, but are necessary, as is exaggeration.
You and your coach should be on the same wavelength and good advice whether fact or feel or both should produce the desired result.
When you learn a skill like swinging/hitting it requires different types of "cues", some that are more objectively/visually correct and some that are more kinesthetically/feel correct. This is well described in golf as the diference between fact and feel or real and feel. In the swing, Nyman at setpro calls it "cues v reality".
So if you watched the golf tournament yesterday, for example, they commented that one of the players was taking a practice swing as part of his routine that did not resemble (visually/on video) his "real" swing at all. the player explained that he and his coach were practicing a certain feel they wanted to emphasize in the swing.
Often these "feels" need to be exaggerated and so do some of the visual aspects of the swing itself to make changes/learn patterns more purely.
With regard to this situation, the "FEEL" of barrel above hands may be useful.
The actual path of the hands is usually down, but may feel more down than it appears.
Another example in throwing which is similar to loading for the swing is "keeping the back elbow up" while when you look at video, you can actually see the elbow comes down some, BUT when using this "feel cue" you tend to encourage the right type of "slotting" action/arm sequence.
So the important thing is to not get confused by whatever instruction you get, while understanding that feel cues that violate appearance are not only OK, but are necessary, as is exaggeration.
You and your coach should be on the same wavelength and good advice whether fact or feel or both should produce the desired result.
