Posted by: daw (daw@bellevue-law.com) on Thu Dec 20 13:16:28 2007

> Hi Daw
>
> This is probably another “information overload” discussions for most coaches, but I think you may appreciate it.
>
> Most coaches think that it is momentum attained during the stride (forward weight shift) that causes the lead-leg to support the body’s weight during the swing. This is actually not the case. There is no forward, or linear, body momentum when the batter rotates about a stationary axis. The reason weight on the back-foot becomes lighter and is no longer needed to keep the body from falling rearward as the body rotates is due to the gravity-defying properties of gyroscopic motion.
>
> Here is a video that illustrates that principle.
>
> <a href="http://static.howstuffworks.com/mpeg/gyro.mpg">Gyro “Precession” demo</a>
>
> Jack Mankin

Very interesting indeed, Jack. Thank you for the video. I had thought that Bonds' (and others') body rotation "pulls" the back foot off the ground as the trunk twists back around toward the backstop, but on close inspection of the clips, I don't really see that happening. Yours is the better explanation.

Interestingly, I used to have a book, co-authored by Joe Namath, in which Joe self-analyzed his throwing motion, which he regarded to be entirely different that other pro quarterbacks' motions. Joe maintained that he powered his throw by "coiling", front shoudler tucked under his chin, then lifting the ball up to his ear with no wind up at all, then simply (but powerfully) rotating his hips and shoulders, stepping slightly to the left of his target. I remember him specifically saying that this throwing motion helped him avoid hits from d-lineman because it used almost no forward momentum, and his "spinning" follow through actually took him away from them. According to the book, Joe could crank a football 70 yards without taking a step...he'd face his target, "coil" by twising this torso/shoulders to his right, then launch by rotating hips and shoulders back, with almost literally no arm action to speak of. Joe had one of the most powerful throws ever, but was also famous for his quick release and accurate throws, and in the book he said his motion put no strain on his arm, and he'd never had a sore shoulder or elbow. (Just watching your clip---or any clip of the typical pitcher----makes my elbow hurt.) The book is littered with photos, several of which show him just before cutting loose, "coiled" into what could be called an "inward turn" if he had a bat in his hands.

I don't disagree that traditional pitching/throwing mechanics are different than hitting but Joe Willie would maintain that "rotational throwing" works well too. I coach fastpitch softball so the question doesn't come into play as far as pitching goes, but I do coach my fielders to throw "Namath" style, especially on the longer throws....I have them coil, lift the ball to their ear, and "throw" by turning their body. It works reasonably well and we don't get many sore arms.

Anyway, thanks for posting the video, it was very interesting.