Get your muscle relaxed throughout--really?

[Shake Zula]

So I'm taking the Kinesiology class in the college for summer school and one of the things I've learned in Biomechanics part is that the contraction of the muscle shortens the muscle itself and if I tense up and contract the muscles, the swing speed would decrease. So I decided to take that advice and carry it to the batting cage today...

the result was disastrous. I was late on balls, hitting pop ups and couldn't get a good swing plane on the ball. Later in the practice, I went back to my old way. (I kinda tense up just a little bit just to get ready for ball) I'm really puzzled about this, any opinions?

[toomanyteesbroken]

I think it would be more of an uncomfortable way to swing. Its like switching your stance. At first it may be worse but over time it may get better. Dont quote me on that just the only thing i could think of.

[jbooth]

So I'm taking the Kinesiology class in the college for summer school and one of the things I've learned in Biomechanics part is that the contraction of the muscle shortens the muscle itself and if I tense up and contract the muscles, the swing speed would decrease. So I decided to take that advice and carry it to the batting cage today...

the result was disastrous. I was late on balls, hitting pop ups and couldn't get a good swing plane on the ball. Later in the practice, I went back to my old way. (I kinda tense up just a little bit just to get ready for ball) I'm really puzzled about this, any opinions?

It's true about how the muscle works, but you're confused as to how the muscles are used to swing the bat. That's why your result was confusing to you. Dang near every muscle in the body is used during the swing and they contract at different times during the swing and apply the force in many ways. It's not as simple as you tried to apply it.

[Shake Zula]

It's true about how the muscle works, but you're confused as to how the muscles are used to swing the bat. That's why your result was confusing to you. Dang near every muscle in the body is used during the swing and they contract at different times during the swing and apply the force in many ways. It's not as simple as you tried to apply it.

Mr. Booth, then how should I use it? Any books or DVD's for it?

[jbooth]

Mr. Booth, then how should I use it? Any books or DVD's for it?

Use what? What muscle are you focusing on? Hundreds of muscles contract during the swing, which one are you concerned about, and why only one?

[caseyd123]

Yeager advocates a relaxed upper body...

[Shake Zula]

I'm right now focusing on arm muscles, no I'm not all-arms hitter. I'm just concerned about the upper body usage

[rkbenn]

when i was boxing we would be relaxed till contact, maybe it comes from the same thought. i've been teaching my son relaxed till contact, just like boxing. i wouldn't think through the whole swing.

[The Glovedoctor]

I was fortunate enough to have Bobby Wilkins around while I was in HS. Coach Wilkins was drafted by Connie Mack out of Duke University to play with the Philidelphia Athletics (he played parts of 1944 & 45 before breaking his leg).

He used to always tell me, "loosey goosey" with my hands. Not to choke the bat or be tense. I was never a professional baseball player or anything like that, but it certainly helped me a lot.

[azmatsfan]

To merge the topics from the Lincecum thread with this one, in the Lincecum SI article his dad talked about what he called "dangle" in Tim's pitching arm. He asserted that part of his son's success was his ability to relax his pitching arm throughout the motion in order to get more whip.

[The Glovedoctor]

To merge the topics from the Lincecum thread with this one, in the Lincecum SI article his dad talked about what he called "dangle" in Tim's pitching arm. He asserted that part of his son's success was his ability to relax his pitching arm throughout the motion in order to get more whip.

I think we are talking about the same principle here.