tinseltown
12-23-2008, 09:44 AM
With all the snow falling recently in the central Canada corridor, I thought I would request the advice of all the mechanics gurus here on my shovel swing.
With a fully loaded shovel, I start with knees bent, weight on toes, one hand on the handle (the "rear hand") and another on the shaft (the "forward hand"). If, for example, my left hand is the forward hand, then my left leg is also my forward leg, with the toe pointed about 30 degrees from the axis of the shaft, and my right leg is my rear leg, with the toe perpendicular to the shaft. My knees are aligned with my hands.
I then straighten my legs while pressing down on my rear hand, using the forward hand as a fulcrum point to raise the shovel blade upwards, while also raising the forward hand upwards to raise the entire shovel. (If very heavy, as in the case of wet snow, I will use my forward knee as an initial support point for my forward hand.)
As my legs reach full extension, I raise my feet up on their toes. The shovel blade is now slightly above horizontal, and I start pushing forward with my rear hand to throw the snow forwards and upwards. My front hand may release entirely during this phase. My torso will lean back slightly at this point, to counterbalance the loaded shovel moving forward.
Any suggestions on how to achieve maximum connection and efficiency?
Regarding the critical "metal versus plastic" debate, I believe the weight advantages of a hard, rigid plastic far outweigh any durability advantage of metal.
Apologies for not posting in Between Innings, but I thought the swing experts might be more likely to see it here. Happy holidays, and may all your Christmases be white!
With a fully loaded shovel, I start with knees bent, weight on toes, one hand on the handle (the "rear hand") and another on the shaft (the "forward hand"). If, for example, my left hand is the forward hand, then my left leg is also my forward leg, with the toe pointed about 30 degrees from the axis of the shaft, and my right leg is my rear leg, with the toe perpendicular to the shaft. My knees are aligned with my hands.
I then straighten my legs while pressing down on my rear hand, using the forward hand as a fulcrum point to raise the shovel blade upwards, while also raising the forward hand upwards to raise the entire shovel. (If very heavy, as in the case of wet snow, I will use my forward knee as an initial support point for my forward hand.)
As my legs reach full extension, I raise my feet up on their toes. The shovel blade is now slightly above horizontal, and I start pushing forward with my rear hand to throw the snow forwards and upwards. My front hand may release entirely during this phase. My torso will lean back slightly at this point, to counterbalance the loaded shovel moving forward.
Any suggestions on how to achieve maximum connection and efficiency?
Regarding the critical "metal versus plastic" debate, I believe the weight advantages of a hard, rigid plastic far outweigh any durability advantage of metal.
Apologies for not posting in Between Innings, but I thought the swing experts might be more likely to see it here. Happy holidays, and may all your Christmases be white!