quote:
Originally posted by Low Finish:
How do the hands add power? The contribution of the hands, wrists, and forearms is mainly direction. Most power comes from the legs and rear hip. As I said earlier in this post, the hands, wrists, and forearms provide bat direction. If you actively use them, they can help in squaring up the ball.
Tip n' Rip is not a universal panacea. I recognize that. There are players (and I know a few) who have big lower body issues and considerable "connection" issues (using the term that you're familiar with).
Tip n' Rip can help the player learn to control his upper body and can help him create resistance.
In terms of kinesiology, I prefer to use non-scientific terms and feelings rather than being overly technical. I understand what makes the body move and what actions cause the movement.
As for what happens if a player doesn't feel what I'm telling him about... If it's a one on one situation, I'd video him and see if he's performing the actions that I'm attempting to describe. If he is, that's great for him. I'll tell him: "We feel different things, but the same thing is happening". If the video doesn't show the actions, then I'll attempt to explain to him what he's doing wrong and how to fix it.
In a team situation, it's more difficult. There's a limited block of time for the hitter to spend with the coach. I would video the team's batting practice and then see what I could do with regard to instruction when there is time. Unfortunately, there rarely is in a team setting.
As for the HS player, I'd tell him "Good job, let's compare video of your swing to video of an MLB hitter and look at the differences" and if he matches, then I won't screw with his swing. If he doesn't match the video, I'll work on slowly introducing a few key concepts to him. Hopefully, by doing so he will become an even better hitter and be able to hit successfully at the highest level he aspires to play at.
I'll address the Tip n' Rip question in another post
Finally, I wish I could maintain some idea of continuity in my thoughts (and it would probably be beneficial to all). However, I swing a bat quite a bit. When I swing, I video. I keep things that work and throw out things that don't work.
For example:
Top hand swivel WORKS
Handle Torque doesn't
Forward by coiling works!
Tip n' Rip WORKS!
Attempting to maintain the hinge angle (actively thinking about it) doesn't work.
And as for my statement about Englishbey, he's said it numerous times over at another forum (BBF).
Wait a minute now. You are equating "power" with "direction"? Are you sure? if we're going to say direction, I might be on board with that, the problem is that isn't what you said earlier. this is what I meant about organizing your philosophy.
So anybody that doesn't "tip and rip" has issues such as lower body? "tip and rip" resolves disconnection? BTW, what is connection? "Resistance" to what?
If you understand what actions make the body move, how do you explain the video we talked about. You said earlier that the "tip" was done with hand action. Clearly in the case of Pujols and the video you sent me that isn't the case (your PM is gone now for some reason BTW).
Can the actions occur even if you aren't doing the same things? For example is there a way I can "tip" that is different from what you do that will not get me the desired effect? If you've already explained to him how he feels and he doesn't get it, how are you going to explain so he does?
Ok, so we're going to introduce him to concepts slowly to better his swing. Let me ask you this: Have you ever had stats that even remotely compare to those? Are you going to explain those with "feelings" as well? How? Have you ever felt .568?
As for your examples - those things may WORK! for you. Those cues, thinking that the hands add power and are responsible for effects when they are quite obviously not. First saying "power" then "direction" etc. Will they work for most? Or would saying what they actually do do be better for most?
As for the instructor. Again, what was the context? Did you see the post above about the most common faults? How does that tie in to this discussion?
Let me ask you this on a different but related note: You say you swing the bat a lot and work off of "feel" - I believe you. In order to "feel" you have to "do" right?
How many of the big instructors have you ever seen actually hit a baseball with their own swing? Now I'm not saying one HAS to have a great swing in order to teach one - I've been around way too long to think that. Just out of curiosity, which ones? I think that Connor Powers has a very nice swing in his videos. Any others?
Because I'll tell you this, that particular instructor that a lot of people seem to want to belittle, I've seen him hit a baseball off a tee with his own swing using exactly the tools he teaches, and brother, it's a thing of beauty.
Just wondering if there are any others.
). Just funny.
