HITTING MOVEMENT
ECCENTRIC MOVEMENT
LOWER BODY ECCENTRIC MOVEMENT
When the batter enters her bottom half load, the tension on the leg muscle increases as it lengthens. Once the athlete makes her first motion of her loaded bottom half, this puts the muscle into the eccentric phase of muscle movement.
CUDIT® Concentric Hitting Coaches understand the importance of this movement being trained at it's highest potential. It is important to understand that the bottom half rhythm must be smooth and fluid for max power and momentum. If the bottom half load (body weight load) is too stiff and rigid, it will prevent the player from utilizing the maximum force when throwing that same prepared, weight forward (timing).
In leg lift, there is an additional load that occurs in one fluid motion. This additional load (stacked weight) is then thrown into the concentric muscle movement phase when the batter's front heel hits the dirt, wider than the original stance. The 5 steps of the CUDIT® Concentric Hitter breaks down the body weight load phase so that the coach and player understand the why, when, and how of phase one. This way, each key area will be trained with a new respect for the science under the skin.
CONCENTRIC MOVEMENT
LOWER BODY CONCENTRIC MOVEMENT
When the athlete begins to shift her body weight forward, the back leg muscle contracts and shortens as it releases upon initial hip rotation. This puts the muscle into the concentric phase of muscle movement. It is important to recognize that the weight on the bottom half must be transferred forward. Not only is this important for power purpose, but this will also allow the athlete to hit a wider range of pitches when they use their hips to their advantage creating more balance, symmetry, and timing assistance. Athletes that keep their back side in eccentric phase at toe touch will have a harder time getting to the concentric phase of the swing. The back side weight will sit in amortization and the back heel will more likely stay closer to the ground. This is the old school "squish the bug" hitting style.
As the CUDIT® hitter gets to heel plant, she will be in a momentum phase bringing her back heel upwards and forward which will allow her hips to air out during for more range and bat speed. When the athlete drives the back foot forward, she will avoid sinking and having an only upper body swing. You are stronger on your bottom half and NEED to utilize that power the right way.
CUDIT® Concentric Hitting Coaches fully train timing within this phase as well. As we previously have studied, the amortization phase can be your greatest achievement or your greatest setback. When the athlete loads the bottom half in the eccentric phase, it must quickly and fluidly fire forward through the zone in the concentric phase. The "LOAD AND THROW" talk is key with CUDIT®.
Lisa A. Rizzo, the owner/founder of C.U.D.I.T.®, speaking at various national events. Be sure to check out the videos in the video gallery to learn how C.U.D.I.T.® was born, what C.U.D.I.T.® is, the C.U.D.I.T.® Concentric Hitting steps of the swing, and the WHY.
PART 1/4-Coach Lisa Rizzo On CUDIT® Concentric Hitting Softball Tips and Drills
PART 2/4-Coach Lisa Rizzo: CUDIT® Concentric Licensed Coaches Softball Tips and Drills
PART 3/4 Coach Rizzo: CUDIT® Concentric Hitting Owner/Founder - Hitting Tips
Dr. Philip Lombardo and Lisa A. Rizzo breakdown the muscle movements that are trained by C.U.D.I.T.® Concentric Hitting Coaches.