Thread by @SteveEnglishbey

This is a clip that has been around awhile [I'm reasonably sure that someone put it on the Setpro website likely around 2004 or so]. It's a clip illustrative of things I have learned to see ---and try to teach-over the yrs.

https://twitter.com/mamedina8/status/1467358983698595841

I'll list/describe some of these functional characteristics.

1] Note hip rotation INTO foot plant ,ie., the hip rotation actually starts AS the lead heel starts to drop. That, as opposed to getting to full heel plant, stabilizing the lead knee, THEN starting to rotate.

2] Note that the lead heel drop and the back heel lift/back knee flexion happen essentially simultaneously. And these actions occur essentially simultaneously with the hip rotation.

Years ago, in looking at motor learning research [dynamical systems] I ran across the concept of "coordinative structures."

Essentially this concept applies to trying to understand complex ballistic movements [like swinging] wherein instead of thinking in terms of a series of isolated movements/muscle actions......

one should try to see/understand as to how movements/muscle actions/segments etc. are linked in ways that create a synergistic pattern.

Which is how I see/understand this combined action here as regards the timing and movements of the legs [heels included of course] and the hip action [rotation].

THIS kind of coordinative structure is highly distinct from the kind of coordinative structure typically seen in most young hitters.

THAT coordinative structure [a pattern derived from THE typical motor STRATEGY of using the arms to organize and create a swing] is what I have deemed, "slot and shift."

Wherein the lead heel plants fully and the hips translate forward ["hip slide], AS the back elbow "leads" [external rotation at the ball joint] and gets ahead of the hands.

A back arm action which MOST EASILY changes the direction of the barrel [little physical effort is required]...from a relatively vertical alignment to a more horizontal alignment.

A back arm manipulation that is easily done and done for the specific reason to better align with the incoming pitch.

The hips slide [typically] as this arm strategy is realized, i.e., the hips "coordinate" with the arm strategy in that they do NOT start to rotate UNTIL the arms have sufficiently manipulated the bat into a more "on plane" alignment with the ball flight.

I would only add that many times [especially when the ball comes in waist and below, this slot/shift pattern necessarily includes DROPPING the lead arm.

3] This is in stark contrast to how Chipper's lead arm is aligned and functioning in this swing. HIS lead arm starts and STAYS above the letters. And note that the upper lead arm/deltoid region is almost touching the chin. Essentially from initiation to lag.

This kind of alignment is VERY consistent with MANY elite level hitters [especially REALLY elites]. I'll cite just a few: Aaron, Griffey, Bonds, Manny Ramirez, Ortiz, Puhols, Stargell.

A couple of more points: One is that in terms of "separation" of the hips and upper trunk, one should see that there is very little of said concept in this ex. [and quite a few other ex. of great hitters.[see for ex. a typical good swing from Trout and Bonds as well].

I do realize that the degree of differential between the hips opening CAN vary somewhat among elite hitters. But my point here is that a relatively large differential is certainly NOT an absolute.

And I would further add that, from a teaching perspective, based on long experience, I would not [typically] recommend focusing on "separation" in and of itself as a teaching goal. Rather it should be on "connection." And all that that can entail.

Some more observations/interpretations of the C. Jones clip.
1]Note the relatively closed lead leg/lead foot as he drops the heel. Without explaining why this is good I will simply note this:

Yrs. ago and independent of each other both Paul Nyman and I were asked about teaching young hitters as regards the alignment of the lead leg/lead foot.

BOTH of us said the same thing: We would teach hitters [starting via no stride training] to try to keep the lead foot very closed [at a right angle to the plate].

And both of us explained in some detail as to why we were of this opinion [much of the explanations overlapped---but we also provided somewhat separate details that related to various physiological/motor learning considerations].

2] One more note on Chipper's swing--as regards the back arm elbow.
Yes, it does move downwardly he rotates into foot plant. Is this a definition of "slotting?" No, I argue. Simply put, his back arm movement is really NOT independent of the hip/trunk rotation.

Meaning that the "rhythm" of the back arm articulation [you can see it as shoulder adduction or scapula depression/protraction] coming down is linked to and coordinated with the trunk rotation.

I always interpreted "slotting" [based on my perceptions of how OTHERS were describing the back elbow as functioning] as an "isolated" movement that really moves the bat. Tewksbury [for ex] as well as Epstein, et al. appear to make this assertion. I thoroughly disagree .

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