how to start the downswing

Author:Eckhart Diestel.

Date: April 11, 2021.

 

 

Table of Contents:

  • RISE
  • HEAVE
  • FALL
  • CATAPULT
  • HEAVE

 

This series is specifically about facilitating the engage- ment of a kinetic chain. Throwing an object, throwing a punch, etc., is a timed sequence of movements – or in other words: a kinetic chain. The proper sequence is demonstrated in extremis by Bryson DeChambreau. ”I jump up, and then I pull”.

Go through the Kinetic Chain Series first.

  “I jump up”  and “then I  pull”

 

An Unrestricted Throw
                 Conscious thoughts can change the timing of the sequence of movements. Generally, a throw is performed quite naturally. If you try to perform this motion consciously, it turns into a different task. Now you are performing a conscious sequencing of body positions. This will hinder the natural flow, or the timing, of the movement. Example: you have been told: keep your head still. Thus you limit the movements of your head. This, in turn, will restrict range of motion in your backswing. In addition, the focus on your head will impair the natural timing of the throw. We want a backswing without restrictions. You do not want to resist with the lower body while twisting your upper body only. Neither do you want to sway and load your weight unto the back foot and then back forward to fire off your lead foot. This is not the proper sequencing for a throw. Particular thoughts hinder the engagement of the kinetic chain in preparing a throw. The throwing motion loads the back foot to a degree, stretches, coils the body -”I jump up”, then sets the lead foot, followed by a simultaneous drop into your knees, a ”I jump up” ”and then I pull” 1 fall of the arms and a release of the coiled body towards the target – ”and then I pull”. All this is naturally and immediately evident when you perpetually swing you arms loosely in front of you – up to the right, up to the left – using your legs to drive the action. If your target is the ball itself, au contraire, the target is in front of you on the ground. To hit it requires a downward blow. A blow is a different kinetic chain; there is no need to coil, to plant the lead foot, nor is there a need to uncoil the body, etc..

 

A Centered And Catapulting Throw

                      To remove the restriction of the lower body in the back- swing do the feet-together drill; this is really important. Place your feet next to each other, the arches touching, forming a single ‘suction cup’; keep your knees together, no ‘Elvis Presley’. Feel very solid contact with the ground, feel ’glued’ to the ground with your feet. Then heave your arm club unit towards the trail side. Immediately to keep balance your rear will swivel into the opposite direction, ‘facing’ the target. If not, you will lose your balance.

 

Rise And Heave, Fall And Throw

                           Imagine heaving an axe and letting it fall into the stem of a tree. Upon heaving the axe back you will notice that your knees stay above your feet and the rear will immediately move in the opposite direction. Both legs will extend, you will rise up, and your head will go up – ”I jump up”. Then you let the axe fall and the movements will reverse. When you let the axe fall, you go to the ground, the head goes down, the knees flex – ”I pull”. Also see: the axe drill. Nothing about this needs to be learned. But it needs to be allowed to happen in a proper golf swing.

 

The Catapult
             Out of the fall, the pumping action of the legs, and the immediate return of the counterweight rear the axe will be catapulted forward towards the target. Sergei Polunin 2 Pay attention: all these elements need to be there. Watch Sergei Polunin jump. Landing on one foot might make this a ’tour jet´e’ – a thrown turn ! Let your golf be inspired by the incredible beauty of Sergei Polunin’s ability.
Feet Together With Two Tees
Do the feet together drill with two tees. Let the arm club unit fall using its weight and release through both tees. Do this effortlessly, let it fall into a nice catapult towards the target. The first tee is placed right in the middle of the feet, the second a few inches apart towards the target. Get through the first tee and through the second tee. Observe the ’suction’ of the feet that will keep you centered into the completed finish. Now place a ball next to the first tee and let the club fall through both tees again, sending them towards the target. It is amazing how far we can send the ball when doing this.
RISE – HEAVE – FALL – CATAPULT – HEAVE
HEAVE into the backswing, FALL into a nice catapult, HEAVE into the finish. Imagine the ball on a string, feet together. You will need a pumping motion of the legs to get the string swing. Do it with a driver. You will not be able do it without pumping with the legs. The power supply that you get from this is just phenomenal. The pumping action of this drill will solidify in your brain how it feels to use the ground to deliver your club towards the target. Follow up with the video feet together back to feet apart
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Co-authored by: Shawn Clement