V - Vestibular¶
Why does my head move?
The Principle¶
A still head = quiet vestibular system = stable face angle.
Move the head → VOR fires → face twists → ball goes sideways.
The Reflex¶
VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex): - Head rotates → eyes counter-rotate to stabilize gaze - When VOR fires during swing, it pulls the face open/closed - Still head = VOR quiet = face stable
The Protocol¶
| Checkpoint | Head Position |
|---|---|
| Ready | Chin slightly tucked, eyes level |
| Takeback | Head still, chin over front shoulder |
| At bounce | Eyes park, head frozen |
| Swing | Head stays in space |
| Contact | Eyes on contact zone, head still |
| After contact | Hold 100ms, then release |
Common Errors¶
| Error | What Happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Peeking | Head turns to target | "Chin over shoulder" |
| Head lift | Face opens, ball goes long | "Chin tucked through contact" |
| Head dip | Face closes, ball nets | "Eyes level, chin up slightly" |
| Late freeze | VOR fires mid-swing | Freeze at opponent's contact |
The Drill¶
"Chin Tuck & Freeze"
- Shadow swing without ball
- Chin slightly tucked, eyes on imaginary contact point
- Freeze at contact — hold 3 seconds
- Check: Did head move? Chin tucked?
- 20 reps, then add ball
Goal: Zero head movement from bounce to contact.
The Cue¶
"Chin tucked. Eyes parked. Head frozen."