Extensor Action and Swinging

[Jimmy]

How do you continue to apply extensor action in the downswing without "hitting"? More specifically, how does a swinger apply extensor action in the downswing and not disrupt CF? I can't help but feel like I'm hitting when I am conscious of extensor action.

[jim_0068]

Sounds like you're overdoing extensor action. Some people may not like me saying this, this way but oh well:

Extensor action is just simply there to keep your left arm straight. Thats it. If you have problems of breaking down your left arm throughout the swing, THEN worry about it. If you don't, don't worry about it and focus more on something you need to fix.

[6bmike]

How do you continue to apply extensor action in the downswing without "hitting"? More specifically, how does a swinger apply extensor action in the downswing and not disrupt CF? I can't help but feel like I'm hitting when I am conscious of extensor action.

Extensor Action is a PULL- not a PUSH. It is the Pull or stretching of the left arm into a straight line.

What some don’t realize about extensor action is it starts the back stroke- it is a two way action. I slight tugging on the left thumb or hand by the right hand (a reverse pp#3) as the right arm folds at the elbow is extensor action. Extensor Action and the right forearm take-away is a match made in Heaven- well, Seattle, Washington for sure.
In one of the clips where Lynn goes from Hitting to Swinging he verbalize what he does- at the start of the back swing he says, “applying extensor action..” Extensor action is applied from Impact fix and is maintained to the end of the follow through.

If you are actively driving your right arm onto your left arm, you may not be a “True Swinger”- one that lets CF release accumulators #2 and #3. Nothing wrong with that either. The “Swing” Stroke does allow for manipulated hands to release accumulators #2 and #3 also.

Try to think of extensor action as a pull or a tug not a driving of the right arm, as if your left arm was a bungee cord and needs a pull on it.

[6bmike]

Just hit some balls in the backyard after my post.

What can I say Extensor Action rules.

Applying a pull to tauten the left arm from address to follow through straightens the left arm and guarantees proper delivery of the clubhead. You can have a straight left arm without applying extensor action but with none of the advantages.

If you haven't downloaded Yoda's old posts on .pdf, do so. He teaches this better than anyone.

[Matt]

Another thing that you shouldn't glance over when discussing extensor action is how it provides structure to the power package. When I did some work with Ted, he had me working more on extensor action because of the 'underplane' downstroke motion I have a tendency to exhibit. My left arm was straight, but my extensor action was nonetheless lacking.

What would happen was at startdown I would drop the shaft a little underplane, and my right elbow would be very bent and approaching from the inside - a "perversion" of 'sit-and-tilt' if you will. When I applied correct extensor action, it felt as though my right arm couldn't get any straighter at startdown and the clubshaft felt very much 'in front' of me. However, the camera doesn't lie and this type of feeling put me right on the turned shoulder plane coming down.

So not only does extensor action keep the left arm radius constant, but it also firms up the power package structure via the right arm.

[Anonymous]

How do you continue to apply extensor action in the downswing without "hitting"? More specifically, how does a swinger apply extensor action in the downswing and not disrupt CF? I can't help but feel like I'm hitting when I am conscious of extensor action.

Hmmmmm read and study 6-B-1-D for the answer to your question...it's interesting that 6-B-1-D says "Extensor Action gives an indispensable control to all Strokes." It's also interesting that Homer capitalizes the word Strokes for emphasis!!! Could you we all be discussing one of the most important concepts of the Book.....other than section 2-0???

I have a copy of Tomasello's July 1991 interview in a PDF file, if anyone wants a copy PM me....in so many words he talks about this very issue!!!

DG

[Yoda]

Try to think of extensor action as a pull or a tug not a driving of the right arm, as if your left arm was a bungee cord and needs a pull on it.

Great, Mike. You're right on.

Ben Doyle, G.S.E.D., teaches many of his lessons in the near-perpetual 'sweater weather' of Carmel, California. When he demonstrates Extensor Action, he uses his right hand to tug downward the sweater sleeve of his Left Arm.

Now, that's a demonstration we can all understand!

[Matt]

You're trying to straighten your bent right arm, but the left arm keeps the right arm from fully straightening. The feel should be that if you take the left arm off the club, the right arm will instantly straighten out.

Whether you 'feel' a push or a pull, you're pushing. The right triceps is being activated regardless of your personal feel, and that muscle is used for pushing (as opposed to the biceps, which is used for pulling).

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Originally Posted by 6bmike Try to think of extensor action as a pull or a tug not a driving of the right arm, as if your left arm was a bungee cord and needs a pull on it. Great, Mike. You're right on. Ben Doyle, G.S.E.D., teaches many of his lessons in the near-perpetual 'sweater weather' of Carmel, California. When he demonstrates Extensor Action, he uses his right hand to tug downward the sweater sleeve of his Left Arm. Now, that's a demonstration we can all understand!

Yoda,

Then why does the first sentence of 6-B-1-D say..."EXTENSOR ACTION is exclusively the steady effort to straighten the bent Right Arm"???


DG
[Bold by Yoda.]

Because that is what it is, DG: The steady effort to straighten the Bent Right Arm.

But, alas, the Left Arm Leash constrains the unruly Bent Right Arm, and hence, despite its best effort...

Until the Left Arm moves away from the Right Shoulder in the Downstroke...

The Right Arm cannot even begin to straighten.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Originally Posted by Delaware Golf Yoda, Then why does the first sentence of 6-B-1-D say..."EXTENSOR ACTION is exclusively the steady effort to straighten the bent Right Arm"??? DG [Bold by Yoda.] Because that is what it is, DG: The steady effort to straighten the Bent Right Arm. But, alas, the Left Arm Leash constrains the unruly Bent Right Arm, and hence, despite its best effort... Until the Left Arm moves away from the Right Shoulder in the Downstroke... The Right Arm cannot even begin to straighten.

These comments seem to contradict Tomasello's explanation of Extensor Action???

DG

Please provide any conflicting Tomasello version, DG, and I will be happy to comment.

Meanwhile, suffice it to say that the normal condition of the Arms (6-A-4) is that the Left Arm is always Straight and the Right Arm is always Bent until the end of the Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight position).