Thread by @SteveEnglishbey

As some likely know, I recently talked about some aspects of Ohtani's hip action e.g., hip displacement via eccentric [twisting action] loading causing a "forward by turning," Actions synonymous with "Paul's "pelvic loading." I want to add to what he says here.

https://twitter.com/setprosports/status/1413870572606459905

I think he is certainly empirically correct in saying that for most elite level hitters, the degree of "separation" between the hip and shoulder rotation [unload] is minimal.

To say it another way, the differential between the hips starting to rotate and the shoulders starting to rotate is minimal. [I will add here that, yes, there is some degree of variability among hitters as regards this differential, e.g, Harper opens the hips more than Trout].

But , in the context of the "blink of an eye" context of unloading, the differential cannot really be all that substantial.

This relatively minor differential physiological perspective makes sense, in that there are numerous muscles attached to the pelvic girdle that are linked to the mid to upper trunk.

One such example is the large latissimus muscle that is attached to the illiac crest [hip] and the humerus. As a result of this kind of linkage, the hip rotation can create a "pulling effect" [my term] on segments above it.

The Ohtani clip shows this---note how quickly the shoulders start to move as the hip rotation starts.

I'll add 2 more points: 1] I think THE key aspect of the hip rotation is the timing factor. Meaning the action starts to happen ...BEFORE full heel plant, i.e., rotation INTO foot plant.

2] Not all elite level hitters create this kind of eccentric loading action [think Bonds, Griffey, Manny Ramirez to cite but 3 great hitters]

So, it is not an absolute swing characteristic of elite level hitters. But, some do. I think there are 2 reasons as to why this kind of hip loading CAN be helpful:

1] It can --due what I call creating a greater "spring loading " of the back hip joint musculature---potentiate both the speed and magnitude of hip rotation.

2] It can also help to not open the hips TOO soon. One might describe this as OVER-rotating and/or opening up too much and "leaving the arms behind" too much [In golf Tiger talked about this problem].

@threadreaderapp unroll

What I MEANT to say: from a physiological perspective, this makes sense [note to self --proofread better dammit!]