Not a critique, merely an observation:
Looks like you're bending over a good bit out of the backswing/in to the plant - almost like you're squatting into the rear leg/sending the ass back somewhat. But it's hard to say because your rear knee doesn't seem to flex much. Again, just an observation because I find it interesting as someone struggling with rear leg balance and rising into the plant. If you could expound on how you're dropping into the plant so evidently it could be helpful.
Kudos to your continued determination.
Thanks man, it's nice when hard work finally feels like it's paying off.
And good eye. My rear leg is apparently just abnormal enough from the old injury that I'm never actually stable on it, so I think I'm always going to be compensating a bit on the rear side. Recently I've been mostly doing what I can to neutralize that instability by getting over it with momentum and getting a "good enough" backswing to power and aim the shots. So you're maybe seeing the effect of trying to coil back with side bend over a leg and hip that have trouble fully supporting the Buttwipe action sidewinder teaches. GG has a bit more postural lean than most players and he and Espen hop very tall, so I've been trying to onboard cues from them to keep the momentum going forward, and try to plant as centered as I can. The fourth little step definitely helps my rear leg but it's always a bit unsteady. I'll keep seeing what I can manage back there. Fortunately I'm not doing much thinking anymore and mostly just tweaking one bit of the move at a time at this point.
The stride and drop into the plant:
1.Hershyzer drills. Fix posture, stride/drift/drop like an athletic walk into plant. Door frame drill after that.
2. Double Dragon. Should be in the drill Hall of Fame. Long stride coiling back and forth. Gets you very comfortable with tilt and gravity.
With 2 years of hindsight, I now understand that Hershyzer was always harder for me on the left leg because of my gait issue. I always have trouble with lower strides because the leverage is never stable into the rear hip. Double Dragon or Espen hop or GG maneuver are working better because I can at least "fake it til I make it" on the vertical kind of move, since it maximizes drift and my rear leg can do it well enough to transition to the plant. I'm missing part of the hip action but it matters a bit less when I'm starting tall then getting lower leading with the shoulder like a linebacker.
Make it as close to an athletic run or walk or hop as you can striding off in good enough posture to get the job done.
That last throw is the most graceful I've seen from you til this date.
I can't tell if it's "better" mechanical wise, but it seems like your whole body reacts better to it.
Looks natural and powerful!
Good stuff man
Thanks man, the ones closest to that last one felt awesome and natural. I'm starting to like this move. Just need to keep focusing on balance and moving free.
I will never not see some mechanical issues while learning in the School of Sidewinder, but for now it just feels good to be moving freely and more confidently.
Seems like votes so far are for throw 4 above, so I'll poke around this move and rehearse that. Posting it here for convenience and calling it my Good Swing for now.
