Since many folks have difficulty with a proper pivot, maintaining the centered head and having a proper hip motion I wanted to suggest the following image:
Take your address position.
Imagine moving the left shoulder in a straight line down towards the right big toe, letting the power package move along for the ride and the right hip respond freely (it will move straight back).
While you certainly don't want to over do the feel (which would give you pivot control, rather than hands control), this can be a nice shortcut to learning a good pivot.
the caveat with this drill is that you may tend to bob/lower the head slightly, so check in a mirror as you do it. Establish your impact fix, and keep a stable head position.
This is the type of drill that will give you that "breaking down a wall with the left shoulder" type motion (see EdZ drills).
If you are a chronic over the topper, you might also find benefit in feeling like you hit the ball with the back of the left shoulder as you start down, which will tend to help you keep the sequence and zone 1 power.
__________________
"Support the On Plane Swinging Force in Balance"
"we have no friends, we have no enemies, we have only teachers"
Simplicity buffs, see 5-0, 1-L, 2-0 A and B 10-2-B, 4-D, 6B-1D, 6-B-3-0-1, 6-C-1, 6-E-2
Since many folks have difficulty with a proper pivot, maintaining the centered head and having a proper hip motion I wanted to suggest the following image:
Take your address position.
Imagine moving the left shoulder in a straight line down towards the right big toe, letting the power package move along for the ride and the right hip respond freely (it will move straight back).
While you certainly don't want to over do the feel (which would give you pivot control, rather than hands control), this can be a nice shortcut to learning a good pivot.
the caveat with this drill is that you may tend to bob/lower the head slightly, so check in a mirror as you do it. Establish your impact fix, and keep a stable head position.
This is the type of drill that will give you that "breaking down a wall with the left shoulder" type motion (see EdZ drills).
If you are a chronic over the topper, you might also find benefit in feeling like you hit the ball with the back of the left shoulder as you start down, which will tend to help you keep the sequence and zone 1 power.
Very instructive, ED, thanks!
__________________
HP, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Progress and not perfection is the goal every day!
Thanks Ed.
I started trying this drill and quickly benefitted. Due to my terrible habit of pushing my arms too far inside resulting in being terribly under plane, I found an aid for myself. If I thought of lifting my right hand up (extensor action) and perceived that of pulling my right shoulder toward my right foot, it worked! It is all perception, I guess.
Without your suggestion I never would have come up with this.
Thanks.
Since many folks have difficulty with a proper pivot, maintaining the centered head and having a proper hip motion I wanted to suggest the following image:
Take your address position.
Imagine moving the left shoulder in a straight line down towards the right big toe, letting the power package move along for the ride and the right hip respond freely (it will move straight back).
While you certainly don't want to over do the feel (which would give you pivot control, rather than hands control), this can be a nice shortcut to learning a good pivot.
the caveat with this drill is that you may tend to bob/lower the head slightly, so check in a mirror as you do it. Establish your impact fix, and keep a stable head position.
This is the type of drill that will give you that "breaking down a wall with the left shoulder" type motion (see EdZ drills).
If you are a chronic over the topper, you might also find benefit in feeling like you hit the ball with the back of the left shoulder as you start down, which will tend to help you keep the sequence and zone 1 power.
Hey Ed, that really screwed me up big time. How do I get that Image out of my head?
Hey Ed, that really screwed me up big time. How do I get that Image out of my head?
(just kidding , nice image)
I like the odd strawberry daquari from time to time, but I must be sitting on a boat with a clean towel over my head to prevent my tripod from breaking down.
Patrick
__________________
HP, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Progress and not perfection is the goal every day!
maybe taking this a bit off topic but does the rotated shoulder turn = easier to keep head centered?
That seems true for me but I don't focus so much on the Shoulder Turn. I try to move the Hands onto the TSP ASAP. That pretty much takes care of the Shoulder Turn.
I've noticed in your recent video that you've moved in that direction too. But how do you get the right amount of Flat in a Flat Backstroke Shoulder Turn?
I think the Stationary Head and EA allows the Hand Path and thus determines the Shoulder Path, not the other way around. It works well for me because when the Shoulders get Dragged by the Hands while your Head remains Stationary, your Shoulders have only one path to follow.
maybe taking this a bit off topic but does the rotated shoulder turn = easier to keep head centered?
No, I don't know that I would say that, but what does help a lot is having proper hip motion. When the right hip moves properly, it is much simpler to keep a stable center.
That is really the key benefit of this image IMO, that if you allow the hip to respond to it, you'll feel proper hip action, perhaps for the first time.
Kev - I agree, I'd be quite surprised to see any of the 'stacked' players winning a British Open for that reason.
__________________
"Support the On Plane Swinging Force in Balance"
"we have no friends, we have no enemies, we have only teachers"
Simplicity buffs, see 5-0, 1-L, 2-0 A and B 10-2-B, 4-D, 6B-1D, 6-B-3-0-1, 6-C-1, 6-E-2
, nice image)
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