In particular, as for automatic-step mechanics, batting stance is very important. Obviously,position of starting the mechanics from here is important. First of this chapter, I describe batting stance of automatic-step.
The Ideal batting stance of automatic step.
1) Wide stance
Wide stance is basic skill of automatic-step. Because we can't generate the big power quickly without making a stability basement. There are good examples below.
Albert Pujols (0.44~) Andruw Jones (0.31~)
Wide stance has some points like below.
a) Width of Stance
It is the same as catching stance of infielder when he catch a grounder in front of him.
b) Don't close the both knee. Don't close the both hip joint.
Pigeon-toed batting stance can't generate the big power and it hasn't stability. And it leads contraction of quadriceps-femoris-muscle. It can be felt when you squat down with pigeon-toe.
c) Don't open the both knees.
It makes difficult to do the minimum required weight shift. Jeff Bagwell Successed with this stance. It is due to characteristic of this stance that makes easier to squwat down. he had got the power of lower body by squat down. It can be said particular case but it is getting the essence of automatic-step that needs to generate the big power directly from batting stance.
Wide stance has some points like below.
a) Width of Stance
It is the same as catching stance of infielder when he catch a grounder in front of him.
b) Don't close the both knee. Don't close the both hip joint.
Pigeon-toed batting stance can't generate the big power and it hasn't stability. And it leads contraction of quadriceps-femoris-muscle. It can be felt when you squat down with pigeon-toe.
c) Don't open the both knees.
It makes difficult to do the minimum required weight shift. Jeff Bagwell Successed with this stance. It is due to characteristic of this stance that makes easier to squwat down. he had got the power of lower body by squat down. It can be said particular case but it is getting the essence of automatic-step that needs to generate the big power directly from batting stance.
d) Open the back leg's knee. Close the front leg's knee.
This is the best stance. However, don't bend depth the knee of front leg because it leads contraction of quadriceps-femoris-muscle. And this is an important point because closed leg is easy to make
contraction of quadriceps-femoris-muscle. As a result, hamstrings will not be able to work effectively.
Specifically, don't close front foot's toe. First, open the both hip joints. And the next, twist upper body inside along the line of back leg's hip joint like backswing of golf. As a result, front leg closes inside due to this motion. In other words, basically, both hip joints are opening in the state without twisting upper body. Hip-joint-open is essential factor of batting stance as described below.
e) 後ろ足の爪先を開きすぎない 膝自動回旋
e) 後ろ足の爪先を開きすぎない 膝自動回旋
2) Don't squat down by knee flexion. Inflect the hip joint.
Automatic-step needs to take somewhat low stance. Because of using the lower body's muscles and getting the stability. But there is a good way and bad way.
Way of body squat down has two patterns.
Pattern1 is hip joint flexion as a result of knee flexion. And pattern2 is knee flexion as a result of hip joint flexion.
pattern1: When you bend your knee, femur turns clockwise. As a result, your hip joint is bent too. That can be said as "hip joint flexion as a result of knee flexion". In this case, knee is placed in front of toe.
pattern2: When you bend your hip joint, femur turns clockwise. As a result, your knee is bent too. That can be said as "knee flexion as a result of hip joint flexion". In this case, knee is not placed in front of toe.
pattern1 is bad way because leads contraction of quadriceps-femoris-muscle. This tendency can be seen following hitters.
Following hitters are good example of pattern2.
George Cantu, Jason Giambi, Adrian Beltrre
Ryan Howard, Andruw Jones, Reid Brignac
So how can we do the pattern2 ? Here is the tips of that.
George Cantu, Jason Giambi, Adrian Beltrre
Ryan Howard, Andruw Jones, Reid Brignac
So how can we do the pattern2 ? Here is the tips of that.
First, try to stretch the iliopsoas muscle like figure below. And next, make the batting stance with hip joint flexion and tilting your upper body toward homeplate lightly. In this way, you will not feel the contraction of quadriceps-femoris-muscle. This method uses function of iliopsoas muscle that leads flexion of hip joint.
So now,let me explain this theme more easily by using image. If you squat down with standing straight your spine, it becomes a pattern1. So you should make your batting stance with tilting your spine toward homeplate like the cuban hitters. In addition, knee should not be placed in front of toe as mentioned above.
つま先立ち×
So now,let me explain this theme more easily by using image. If you squat down with standing straight your spine, it becomes a pattern1. So you should make your batting stance with tilting your spine toward homeplate like the cuban hitters. In addition, knee should not be placed in front of toe as mentioned above.
つま先立ち×
3) Angle of the head
In generaly it is believed that neck must be stood straight. But some of sluggers in MLB does not abide this fundamental. In many cases like that, suluggers are more proper. Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez are good examples. Their head's angle aligns with their vertebral column's angle. This is the right alignment of batting stance.
However, don't put emphasis on tilted neck. Because proper "S"curve of vertebral column is consisted of a lumbar spine's lordosis and a thoracic spine's kyphosis and a cervical spine's lordosis. To sum up, cervical spine should be lordosis. But someone who tries to tilt his neck often has kyphosis on cervical spine as a result of putting emphasis on tilting neck. This is a misunderstood case.
So then, why should neck tilt to align with vertebral column? The answer is below. If neck stands straight in batting-stance that has tilted vertebral column toward homeplate, it means head-up. And as a result of making a head-up in batting stance, thoracic spine will have lordosis and lumbar spine will have kyphosis. In other words, vertebral column forms reverse "S" curve and the pelvis tilts back. Tilted-back-pelvis makes difficult to use hamstrings and it causes lacking stability. In short, lower body can't generate the big power.
4) Twist
At the batting stance,Upper body should be twisted inside slightly along the line of back leg's hip joint like backswing of golf. It means load of automatic-step's mechanics and it is formed in advance at the batting stance.
This twist leads front leg's internal Rotation and back leg's external rotation. As a result, weight is put on out-edge of back foot and in-edge of front foot. This is the proper batting stance.
However, there are two patterns of misunderstand on this theme that is often seen. First, don't tilt upper body toward catcher as same as this twist. Because it makes poor balanced batting stance. Center-of-gravity line should through the middle of batting stance. And next, don't step on the ground strongly with ball of the thumb of front foot. When front leg makes internal Rotation, it often leads to step on the ground strongly with ball of the thumb. But as a result of that, knee of front leg is bent too much and quadriceps-femoris-muscle of front leg makes contraction that is nearly tension. And of cource, as mentioned above, toe of front foot should not be faced inside by upper body's twist.
In addition, this twist leads hip-joint-open of back leg. Because it is made along the line of back leg's hip joint like backswing of golf. As a result, hip-rotation gets more power.
5) Pelvis-tilt-forward and "s"curve of Vertebral column by hip-joint-open.
Hip-joint-open leads pelvis-tilt-forward because it makes rute open to tilt forward the pelvis by opening the both femors. As a result, hip-joint-open makes it easier to use the power of hamstrings. This is the reason of importance of hip-joint-open at the batting stance.
In addition, hip-joint-open also leads sharp "s"curve of vertebral column. Because pelvis-tilt-forward makes lumbar spine's lordosis and it leads thoracic spine's kyphosis by the bend that is formed by head's weight. As a result, the proper "s"curve of vertebral column is emphasized and draws sharp curve line. This is the proper alignment of batting stance that is seen from pitcher side. And this is the result of hip-joint-open. As described above in chapter6 pelvis-tilt-forward must not be formed in conscious. Because it makes vertebral column warp by contraction of erector spinae muscles. As a result, vertebral column loses Correct function and upper body's movement gets sclerosis by tension of muscles.
Hip-joint-open leads pelvis-tilt-forward because it makes rute open to tilt forward the pelvis by opening the both femors. As a result, hip-joint-open makes it easier to use the power of hamstrings. This is the reason of importance of hip-joint-open at the batting stance.
In addition, hip-joint-open also leads sharp "s"curve of vertebral column. Because pelvis-tilt-forward makes lumbar spine's lordosis and it leads thoracic spine's kyphosis by the bend that is formed by head's weight. As a result, the proper "s"curve of vertebral column is emphasized and draws sharp curve line. This is the proper alignment of batting stance that is seen from pitcher side. And this is the result of hip-joint-open. As described above in chapter6 pelvis-tilt-forward must not be formed in conscious. Because it makes vertebral column warp by contraction of erector spinae muscles. As a result, vertebral column loses Correct function and upper body's movement gets sclerosis by tension of muscles.
6) Angle of bat and grip
Bat Angle of batting stance must be set in launch position. Other words, your bat must be loaded in batting stance in advance. Because it shortens the time from batting stance to start of swing. This is a very important point because it influence to advantage of puncher type that is compactness and quickness.
By the way, grip is very important because it is contact point of bat and our body. "Legs as a basement" and "grip that is holding bat directly" are most important point of batting stance. Even if there are some faults in another parts of batting stance, batting record will be marked to some good extent by getting two points above. Thinking like above makes easier to understand importance of grip.
Grip should keep the linkage with body trunk or lower body according to the "linkage system". Now, I describe below about this linkage system.
As mentioned above,Hip-joint-open leads pelvis-tilt-forward and pelvis-tilt-forward leads proper "s"curve of vertebral column. In the "s"curve of vertebral column, thoracic spine has kyphosis. And this thoracic spine's kyphosis is emphasized by emphasis of "s"curve of vertebral column due to tilt forward of pelvis.
In addition, kyphosis of thoracic spine leads scapular abduction. This fact can be understood easier by experiment with sitting the chair. And scapular abduction leads the scapular upward rotation because scapular is lifted by clavicle. When object that is lifted tries to open, it will make upward rotation as a result.
Bat Angle of batting stance must be set in launch position. Other words, your bat must be loaded in batting stance in advance. Because it shortens the time from batting stance to start of swing. This is a very important point because it influence to advantage of puncher type that is compactness and quickness.
By the way, grip is very important because it is contact point of bat and our body. "Legs as a basement" and "grip that is holding bat directly" are most important point of batting stance. Even if there are some faults in another parts of batting stance, batting record will be marked to some good extent by getting two points above. Thinking like above makes easier to understand importance of grip.
Grip should keep the linkage with body trunk or lower body according to the "linkage system". Now, I describe below about this linkage system.
As mentioned above,Hip-joint-open leads pelvis-tilt-forward and pelvis-tilt-forward leads proper "s"curve of vertebral column. In the "s"curve of vertebral column, thoracic spine has kyphosis. And this thoracic spine's kyphosis is emphasized by emphasis of "s"curve of vertebral column due to tilt forward of pelvis.
In addition, kyphosis of thoracic spine leads scapular abduction. This fact can be understood easier by experiment with sitting the chair. And scapular abduction leads the scapular upward rotation because scapular is lifted by clavicle. When object that is lifted tries to open, it will make upward rotation as a result.
So next, scapular upward rotation with putting elbow in front of body leads shoulder internal rotation. Because these have the same orbit of movement. And then antebrachial region gets the Pronation as a result of shoulder internal rotation. This pronation of antebrachial region is important factor of forming proper grip.
Then, I introduces the experiment. First, stand straight the antebrachial region and make pronation like figure. In this experiment, wrist makes dorsiflexion and outward rotation naturally. (outward rotation is recognized by wrinkles of under the thumb.)
Then, I introduces the experiment. First, stand straight the antebrachial region and make pronation like figure. In this experiment, wrist makes dorsiflexion and outward rotation naturally. (outward rotation is recognized by wrinkles of under the thumb.)
As a supplementary explanation, antebrachial-region-pronation leads wrist-dorsiflexion and wrist-outward rotation. And antebrachial-region-supination leads wrist-palmar flexion and wrist-inward rotation. that is a nature of body movement.
Be that as it may, antebrachial-region-pronation and wrist-dorsiflexion and wrist-outward rotation are occured in combination. And these are the key factors of proper grip that is said as cocking-grip in generaly. And this grip leads insideout-swing.
In addition, cocking grip leads flexion of fingers because tendon of palm side is stretched by wrist-dorsiflexion. fingers are flexed by tention of tendon. And this phenomenon is called as a tenodesis-action in anatomical terms. By means of the tenodesis-action, we can hold our bat without gripping strongly by muscle contraction. As a result, our grip get the softness and stability at the same time. In this case, our palm is flexed along the lines of palm. It is the proper manner of finger flexion and baseball grip.
By the way,this series of linkage system that starts from hip-joint-open to finger-flexion can be understood easier in the experiment below. First, connect the both hand in front of body and open the feet as same as batting stance's width. next, squat down with hip-joint-open and tilting forward vertebral column. As a result, the key factors of proper grip (antebrachial-region-pronation, wrist-dorsiflexion, wrist-outward rotation) should occurs naturally by the linkage system.
So then, let me describe the linkage system once more simpley.
Hip-joint-open→pelvis-tilt-forward→sharp "s"curve of vertebral column(thoracic spine's kyphosis)→scapular-outward-rotation→scapular-upwrad-rotation→shoulder-internal-rotation→antebrachial-region-pronation-wrist-dorsiflexion and wrist-outward rotation and finger flexion.
※) Arrows does not mean before or after. it only means causal relationship.
Well, let me change the subject. Here is a fundamental subject about grip that is pertinent to problem about "finger or palm" and "squeeze(weak) or open(strong)" . At any rate,
We should not squeeze the grip like squeezing the towel. Because it makes axilla shut too much. As a result, we will not be able to generate the big power. And of course, we should not to open the grip too much. Because it makes difficult to draw the orbit of inside-out-swing. Problem about "finger or palm" has the same answer
Be that as it may, antebrachial-region-pronation and wrist-dorsiflexion and wrist-outward rotation are occured in combination. And these are the key factors of proper grip that is said as cocking-grip in generaly. And this grip leads insideout-swing.
In addition, cocking grip leads flexion of fingers because tendon of palm side is stretched by wrist-dorsiflexion. fingers are flexed by tention of tendon. And this phenomenon is called as a tenodesis-action in anatomical terms. By means of the tenodesis-action, we can hold our bat without gripping strongly by muscle contraction. As a result, our grip get the softness and stability at the same time. In this case, our palm is flexed along the lines of palm. It is the proper manner of finger flexion and baseball grip.
By the way,this series of linkage system that starts from hip-joint-open to finger-flexion can be understood easier in the experiment below. First, connect the both hand in front of body and open the feet as same as batting stance's width. next, squat down with hip-joint-open and tilting forward vertebral column. As a result, the key factors of proper grip (antebrachial-region-pronation, wrist-dorsiflexion, wrist-outward rotation) should occurs naturally by the linkage system.
So then, let me describe the linkage system once more simpley.
Hip-joint-open→pelvis-tilt-forward→sharp "s"curve of vertebral column(thoracic spine's kyphosis)→scapular-outward-rotation→scapular-upwrad-rotation→shoulder-internal-rotation→antebrachial-region-pronation-wrist-dorsiflexion and wrist-outward rotation and finger flexion.
※) Arrows does not mean before or after. it only means causal relationship.
Well, let me change the subject. Here is a fundamental subject about grip that is pertinent to problem about "finger or palm" and "squeeze(weak) or open(strong)" . At any rate,
we should lead to the answer about "must not do" rather than "must do".
We should not squeeze the grip like squeezing the towel. Because it makes axilla shut too much. As a result, we will not be able to generate the big power. And of course, we should not to open the grip too much. Because it makes difficult to draw the orbit of inside-out-swing. Problem about "finger or palm" has the same answer
as above. In many cases like this, the answer is the middle point of both sides. However, we should be clarify from this theme that cocked-wrist is different from squeezed-grip. This is the point that is misunderstood in many cases. Finger-grip and squeezed-grip are different from cocked wrist.
8) Supplementation about a grip
As mentioned chapter 6, proper grip consists of antebrachial-region-pronation, wrist-dorsiflexion and wrist-outward-rotation. And a grip that consists of these factors is called as cocked-grip. By the way, cocked grip, that is proper grip, is accompanied by wrist-outward-rotation. Therefore, both hands and bat make an oblique angle slightly. However, a bat knob is fitted up on a grip handle with right-angle. So, if you grip the bat with full length grip, bat knob will prevent the bottom hand's wrist-outward-rotation. Namely, full length grip and cocked-grip are not a well matched combination. In addition, if the top hand sticks fast to the bottom hand, bottom hand will prevent the top hand wrist-outward-rotation with shape of itself.
As a result, if you want to complete a perfect-cocked-grip, you should grip your bat with slight choke grip and make a slight space between the both hands.
However and of course, using the choke grip isn't suitable for long hitting. and hands-apart grip tends to cause too much rolled over wrist by the principle of the lever. Therefore, adapting this theory to an actual practice demands careful consideration.
First, here is some ideas about choke grip. For example, using the choke grip with heavy-weight-bat in the swing drill and using the full length bat in the actual batting. That is to say, for making good muscle memory, you need to try to make a perfect-cocked-grip but in the game, power loss depends on the choke grip is an unfavorable problem. And as far as the other idea, using a slightly long bat for be suited to slight choke grip.
In addition, as for hands-apart-grip, a space between both hands should be taken about one cash card size. In other words, it just only means that don't stick fast the top hand to the bottom hand.
9) Wrapped body
Many sluggers makes their body wrap on the follow through like Prince Fielder and Jose Bautista. In this scene, their body makes a arch toward the pitcher. As a result, they can receive the impact force strongly in the follow through. On the other hand, if you can't make this arch, your hip is not pushed out forward in the follow through. As a result, you can't receive the impact force strongly. And this difference between good & poor is expressed mainly on the form of contact.
Concretely, too much flexed knee and pigeon-toed stance causes quadriceps-femoris-muscle strain. In addition, standing straight spine also causes that. Therefore, hitters who take that kind of batting stance tends to be not able to make the body arch. As a result, they lose their power in the follow through. Alex Rios, Chris Young and Franklin Gutierrez has this tendency.
7) 脚上げ型の構え
8) Supplementation about a grip
As mentioned chapter 6, proper grip consists of antebrachial-region-pronation, wrist-dorsiflexion and wrist-outward-rotation. And a grip that consists of these factors is called as cocked-grip. By the way, cocked grip, that is proper grip, is accompanied by wrist-outward-rotation. Therefore, both hands and bat make an oblique angle slightly. However, a bat knob is fitted up on a grip handle with right-angle. So, if you grip the bat with full length grip, bat knob will prevent the bottom hand's wrist-outward-rotation. Namely, full length grip and cocked-grip are not a well matched combination. In addition, if the top hand sticks fast to the bottom hand, bottom hand will prevent the top hand wrist-outward-rotation with shape of itself.
As a result, if you want to complete a perfect-cocked-grip, you should grip your bat with slight choke grip and make a slight space between the both hands.
However and of course, using the choke grip isn't suitable for long hitting. and hands-apart grip tends to cause too much rolled over wrist by the principle of the lever. Therefore, adapting this theory to an actual practice demands careful consideration.
First, here is some ideas about choke grip. For example, using the choke grip with heavy-weight-bat in the swing drill and using the full length bat in the actual batting. That is to say, for making good muscle memory, you need to try to make a perfect-cocked-grip but in the game, power loss depends on the choke grip is an unfavorable problem. And as far as the other idea, using a slightly long bat for be suited to slight choke grip.
In addition, as for hands-apart-grip, a space between both hands should be taken about one cash card size. In other words, it just only means that don't stick fast the top hand to the bottom hand.
9) Wrapped body
Many sluggers makes their body wrap on the follow through like Prince Fielder and Jose Bautista. In this scene, their body makes a arch toward the pitcher. As a result, they can receive the impact force strongly in the follow through. On the other hand, if you can't make this arch, your hip is not pushed out forward in the follow through. As a result, you can't receive the impact force strongly. And this difference between good & poor is expressed mainly on the form of contact.
By the way, this body arch is caused by hip joint extension. Especially, back-leg hip joint extension play an important role in making this arch. Therefore, to use the power of hamstrings is key stone of making this arch. In other words, to don't use the power of quadriceps-femoris-muscle is key stone. Namely, batting stance is very important for making this arch.
Concretely, too much flexed knee and pigeon-toed stance causes quadriceps-femoris-muscle strain. In addition, standing straight spine also causes that. Therefore, hitters who take that kind of batting stance tends to be not able to make the body arch. As a result, they lose their power in the follow through. Alex Rios, Chris Young and Franklin Gutierrez has this tendency.
7) 脚上げ型の構え
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