"Best of Max Speaks Out on the internet "....Over the past two years Max has expressed his views on hitting and pitching training and mechanics. Many of these address fundamental issues that are key to maximizing your baseball abilities. Max Ratofor, BS, MS, Physiokinetist, Web Pilot and SETPRO consultant gives his "straight from the hip" views and opinions on today's training issues. You can send your questions and comments to maxrfd@ntplx.net |
| Continuation of Max's response to Steve who believes hip rotation occurs at foot plant.
Dear Steve, I’m still a little confused on your terminology/descriptions and whether I’ve been clear in my descriptions. My basic premise is that once shoulders start to rotate, you cannot effectively create displacement between hips/shoulders. Again, it’s Barry’s statement of "as long as you MAKE SURE that you shoulders are closed, your hips can open as much as they want. You see, this is what creates all of the torque, like a stretched rubber band, ready to explode with much energy." That supports my statement (or triggered my statements). I do not disagree that there is hip AND shoulder rotation AT and AFTER foot plant. I am saying that the opportunity to generate this displacement is gone and the benefits are lost if you don’t achieve this displacement before/at foot plant. I did not want to stir the pot even more in my last posts about Rivera, but my clip shows significant shoulder rotation prior to foot plant. This indicates more activity due to the post/drive/stride and is more typical of pitchers who are more erect and have higher release points (Schilling, Tom Gordon, etc). My observations/studies seem to indicate that the amount and type of hip rotation is dependent on pitchers arm path (release point). Shoulder rotation should always around spinal column. The higher the release point, the more inclined the spinal column which in turn effects the type of rotation. The hips go from a more horizontal to an around and over path. Ryan was horizontal Rivera is around and over. All this adds confusion to what you/me think we see and prevents rigid rules (you must do this!!!) of instruction. As far as power path of hips. My feelings are that once you establish foot plant, there is little you can do to help the hips turn. Before everyone goes into orbit, try this simple experiment. Take a stride so that you weight is 50/50 and hips are closed. Now have someone stand behind you theirs hands on both of your hips trying to prevent you from turning your hips. It takes very little force to stop your hips from turning no matter how hard you try to pull them around. So much for the hips generating lots of force by pulling after plant. As the Bear would say "Cheers" Max Next "Best of Max" Back to Best of Max Index |