[6bmike]

I think the statement above, seen often in relation to the start of the down swing, is most misleading and causes lots of problems for the unenlightened.

The slide should NOT precede the turn of the hips; the actions are synchronous. Any attempt to separate one from the other, or to sequence the processes, is damaging at best and disastrous at worst.

Sorry, but this is yet another of those little truisms that hampered my progress until I learned different from experience.

Although the slide or bump will turn the hips to parallel, the intent has to be a slide and never a turn. The action of a slide that turns, as opposed to a turn that doesn’t slide and maintains a low right shoulder position invites permanent residency in Hackerville. A pure turn will prevent any weight shift or allow the right shoulder to stay on and down the plane. The slide thought is Hula Hula.