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April 07, 2005
In search of the perfect swing... The "Holy Grail"...
This post may be repetitive for some who visit here often (but then again visiting is not the same as reading, is it?). But what I'm about to present is in my opinion the Holy Grail of swing instruction. Maybe is not the holy Grail but it's a roadmap that might help you find your Holy Grail.
And I'm sure some here who have endured my rantings regarding form versus function, inductive versus deductive reasoning, qualitative versus quantitative analysis, etc. etc. are interested in other "diatribe" on swing mechanics. Which is to say that I've been at this long enough (maybe too long) and have tried to look at how the body swings from as many different angles as I possibly can and feel that I at a point where much of this "stuff" is starting to make sense (which may be a very dangerous place to be).
One thing I am certain of, is there will continue to be (in my lifetime) confusion and controversy regarding what constitutes "good" swing mechanics and how to instruct what some would call good swing mechanics (hitting mechanics?). And I do understand (and accept?) this because I have been there (immersed in the forest) and done that (not seeing the forest for the trees).
My problem (not seeing the forest because the trees are/were getting in the way) is looking at the swing process from a "symptoms" driven perspective. I
I was dealing more with the "form" of the swing as opposed to its function. And I really didn't understand this until recently, i.e. until I decided to do the SETPRO Instructor Swing Training Program CD. Because in order for the CD to be useful (what I considered useful) I needed to develop a better definition (understanding) of what a perfect swing is.
Not that long ago I was trying to do the very same thing in the SETPRO customer and private forums. I was attempting to define a high-level swing in terms of the players body/movements. I was attempting to develop "swing absolutes" based on how the player held the bat, player posture, player bat lag, player bat drag etc. And it was not until I took on the CD project that I understood that I was in reality treating symptoms, of what prevented a perfect/high-level swing as opposed to what the fundamental objectives of a perfect swing are.
And in some respect I was as blind as I accuse many of you being in terms of not being able to see the forest for the trees.
In my case, the forest is motor learning. It is understanding that all voluntary movement is goal driven. Something I have said (preached) over and over again but was not really applying to creating a working definition of the perfect swing.
As I've often said it is impossible to get inside another person's nervous system, muscles, as you attempt to instruct the player as to how you think that player should move/swing the bat.
This is also why words and their use has such importance and significance to me. It's the reason why I frequently post definitions, because words are nothing more than symbols, subject to interpretation of the person who is reading them. And most the time no two people have the same interpretation of these "symbols".
It is my opinion that most instruction attempts no develop instructional methods based upon "effect" as opposed to cause. It's an attempt to teach form without the player (or the instructor?) Really understanding the function. It's the use of inductive reasoning versus deductive logic.
As critical as I am of others who claim they understanding of the swing process, I sincerely believe that almost every coach and or instructor is trying to do the best job he or she possibly can. I will even go so far as to say that most of those who I view more as "salesman", believe in the product that they are selling (again I emphasize the word "most").
I've presented the following information before, but some may have not viewed it. And for those who have viewed it before, I suggest you review it again. I think it has great significance (again, my opinion). I also believe it's a top-level overview of what constitutes a high-level swing (perfect swing?)
Enjoy!!
In search of the perfect swing... The "Holy Grail"...
Posted by PaulNyman at April 7, 2005 11:19 AM