Dowel Primer
 

First time I've heard that one, Ed. You never can tell where the next 'dowel idea' will come from. I find new drills and miscellaneous teaching applications for them all the time!

That said, readers often ask for 'the basics' of the training. Or, in the words of my good friend drewitgolf, how to "do well with the do-wels." :D Here is a primer that will help.

Start with two dowels (5/8" X 48"), and take one in each Hand. Grip down 8-10 inches on each, with the Left Arm Dowel under the Left Hand heel and the Right Forearm Dowel in the Right Hand cup (lifeline). Holding the dowel in the cup of the Right Hand will feel a bit awkward at first, but you'll soon get used to it.

1. Align the Left Arm Dowel so that it passes directly under the Flat Left Wrist and Forearm. Thus, both the Left Arm and the dowel will lie in the same Vertical Plane -- the Plane of the Left Wristcock Motion. Maintain this alignment throughout the exercises. [Remember, Cocking and Uncocking the Left Wrist are Vertical Motions, even when executed on an Inclined Plane.] Note that the Left Arm clearly is not on the same Inclined Plane with the dowel at Address. Instead, because the dowel is gripped under the heel of the Hand, the Left Arm points well below the plane of the dowel.

2. Align the Right Forearm Dowel so that it is On Plane with the Right Forearm. Bend the Right Wrist -- but do not cock it! -- so that the top of the dowel points well to the left of the Right Forearm. [Remember, Bending and Flattening are Horizontal Motions whereas Cocking and Uncocking are Vertical Motions.] Maintain this alignment throughout the exercises. Note that the Upper Right Arm clearly is not on the same Inclined Plane as the dowel. Because the Right Arm is Bent at the Elbow, the Upper Right Arm points well below the plane of the dowel.

3. When the Left Arm Dowel and the Right Forearm Dowel are brought together, the Left Wrist remains Flat (and the dowel continues to be In-Line with the Left Forearm) and the Right Wrist remains Bent (and the dowel continues to be On Plane with the Right Forearm). Accordingly, at Address, your Right Elbow will be Bent and your Right Forearm will be below your Left.

Static Exercises. Grip both dowels in the manner described for 3-5 minutes each day for the next three weeks. Look at each independent of the other. Study them -- in front of you waist high in the Horizontal Plane and also on the Angled Plane of the Stroke. Position them one-against-the-other in an Impact Fix. Position them one-against-the-other at the Top. Position them one-against-the-other at the Finish. Look, Look LOOK and make sure you are maintaining their respective alignments.

Dynamic Exercise. Hold your Left Arm dowel in its Impact Location and take your Right Forearm dowel (and its Frozen, Bent Right Wrist) in a 'direct path' -- on the Plane established by the Right Forearm -- to the Top (of the Straight Line Delivery Path [10-23-A]). Make sure that your Right Forearm Turns and Fans and that the Right Wrist maintains only its Right Wrist Bend (and does not Cock). Then return it on the same 'direct path' to its Impact Location touching the Left Arm dowel. Keep your Head still. Watch yourself make this move in a mirror (front and down-the-line view). Repeat this move -- your new Basic Motion -- over and over until it becomes second nature.

Your game will change.

Promise.

Below The Belt
 

Thanks, kr. I enjoyed writing it for you!

Regarding the Lower Body's participation in this fundamental Motion...

First, remember that the correct Pivot demands a Fixed Point on Both ends. So, the Head will remain Stationary and, to a large degree, so will the Feet. Both Feet will remain Flat on the Ground, and even Rolling should be only enough to maintain your Balance.

On the Backstroke, your Weight will Shift, the Right Hip will Clear (straight back), and your Left Knee will accomodate that Motion by rotating slightly inward and forward. On the Downstroke, the Weight will once again Shift as the Hips Slide and Turn slightly. These motions should not be exaggerated, and thus the Body will remain 'comparatively Squared Away.

Both Knees will remain Bent throughout (Right Anchor per 10-16-C) and will rotate slightly as you enter the 'Sit Down' position. The angle of the Right Leg (to the ground) will remain constant on the Backstroke and shift slightly forward on the Downstroke to accomodate the Hip Slide.

In short, your Feet and Knees -- collectively the Legs -- support the Motion. The Right Hip Clears a path for the Hands to be taken Up Plane by the Bending Right Elbow and Foream.