Bat Speed -- Baseball Hitting Forum

Posted by: jimmy () on Sun Dec 16 10:19:22 2007

First of all weight shift does equal momentum. Controllable momentum is the goal desired when loading up to hit.

The difference in swing theories is what makes this discussion go in circles.

If you believe in swing theory #1...(Power comes from lead shoulder rotation), than you probably think that a weight shift is useless and an inward turn of the front hip and front shoulder is a sufficient load.

If you believe in swing fact #2...(Power comes from lower body and back half of the body), than the weight shift to the back side is critical. Inward shoulder turn alone is not sufficient. As a matter of fact, too much of this inward turn will result in a dominant front side which is much less powerful and less controllable.

The fact is that the proper amount of inward turn is a result of a proper weight shift back. Not the other way around.

Is a back-hand in tennis stronger than a fore-hand? No.

Does a smack to the face with the back of a hand hurt more than a punch? No.

It's pretty simple...Back side dominance = Power and control.

I believe that the back side should slightly dominate the front. So, of course the loading of the back side is needed to get it ready to supply the strength of the swing.

The reason I know that the back side dominates the front side in a good powerful swing is this...

If it didn't than why does the back foot, leg, hip, shoulder, arm, and hand all start together? And why does the back arm extend further than the front arm through the hitting zone?

These things happen because MLB power hitters try to power the swing with their back side and not the front.

They all have a weight shift to the back foot (even those who don't stride!). They all load up to the back leg. They all have the entire back side come through together. They all have more extension with their back arm vs. the lead arm through the hitting zone.

Weight shift = Momentum = Running start = Backside all together = Batspeed in the hitting zone with a heavy barrel = Power = $$$$$$

Jimmy

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Re: Loading the front side vs. loading the back side Jack Mankin [ Sun Dec 16 10:41:43 2007 ]

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> First of all weight shift does equal momentum. Controllable momentum is the goal desired when loading up to hit.
> 
> The difference in swing theories is what makes this discussion go in circles. 
> 
> If you believe in swing theory #1...(Power comes from lead shoulder rotation), than you probably think that a weight shift is useless and an inward turn of the front hip and front shoulder is a sufficient load.
> 
> If you believe in swing fact #2...(Power comes from lower body and back half of the body), than the weight shift to the back side is critical. Inward shoulder turn alone is not sufficient. As a matter of fact, too much of this inward turn will result in a dominant front side which is much less powerful and less controllable.
> 
> The fact is that the proper amount of inward turn is a result of a proper weight shift back. Not the other way around.
> 
> Is a back-hand in tennis stronger than a fore-hand? No.
> 
> Does a smack to the face with the back of a hand hurt more than a punch? No.
> 
> It's pretty simple...Back side dominance = Power and control. 
> 
> I believe that the back side should slightly dominate the front. So, of course the loading of the back side is needed to get it ready to supply the strength of the swing.
> 
> The reason I know that the back side dominates the front side in a good powerful swing is this...
> 
> If it didn't than why does the back foot, leg, hip, shoulder, arm, and hand all start together? And why does the back arm extend further than the front arm through the hitting zone? 
> 
> These things happen because MLB power hitters try to power the swing with their back side and not the front.
> 
> They all have a weight shift to the back foot (even those who don't stride!). They all load up to the back leg. They all have the entire back side come through together. They all have more extension with their back arm vs. the lead arm through the hitting zone.
> 
> Weight shift = Momentum = Running start = Backside all together = Batspeed in the hitting zone with a heavy barrel = Power = $$$$$$ 
> 
> Jimmy

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