FiveFrameSwing
Banned
In golf the forward press is just prior to the backswing ... or in hitting, it is just prior to the negative move or the loading of the rear leg. It is a small micro-move that often goes unnoticed. It is the start of the swing sequence.
It can be as simple as a rear leg twitch forward, rear knee twitch forward, a slight rear heel lift, a slight hip bump forward, even bringing the hands slightly forward, etc. This movement pattern is often credited with improving rhythm/timing … but it is much more than that. With this movement pattern you basically can automate the feel of "getting on the hill" (the hill that Williams made when he got in the box [p. 34 of TSOH … guessing on the page number]) ... or "get on the wedge" at the start of the backswing. You are preparing your rear leg to be used in a resistive manner at the very start of the backswing. The backswing, or loading going into launch, is critical … and what I’m saying is that a movement pattern such as a forward press can help automate the building of a healthy backswing.
The forward press can prove to be very effective. I can't state enough that the quality of the backswing, or loading, is highly important.
Here is an 8yo kid that recently posted a swing clip. Not the prettiest of swings mind you … but that isn’t my point. My point is that this 8yo kid’s mechanics included an imbedded form of forward press ... something that could be built upon with significant success if he understood why he was doing it and how to make use of it.
You’ll often see a forward press as part of a kid’s natural movement pattern ….. and I cringe when a coach stupidly removes it as wasted movement.
As you experiment with different forms of forward presses … think of the hill that Williams made in the batter’s box and think “get on the hill”. You’ll feel the pressure contained to the inside portion of your rear leg and foot.
