Identifying the 3 Core Zones

Copyright, Wright Balance® 2024

Experience is the measurement of TRUTH

Nature knows no right or wrong, only balance and imbalance - anonymous

NOTE: If you are a Wright Balance® Professional, I would suggest that you proceed to the summary quiz at the end of this chapter. If you pass with 90 percent accuracy, you are ready to proceed to Chapter 3.

Wright Balance® is emergent, science based, disruptive technology. The information in these Chapters is based on 30 plus years of research that began in 1992. Here is an EBook link to the History of Wright Balance® research:

https://instructions.wrightbalance.com/wright-balance-reseach-1992-2024/

Note: This is Chapter 2 of programmed instruction. In the first Chapter I covered:

1.What to look for in your first lesson

2.The importance of Square Hips and Square Shoulders

3.The difference between Shaft Plane & Shaft Lean

4.The repeating Carrying Angle at Address & through the swing

5.How the Line of Force impacts swing and putter path

If you have not read the first Chapter, here is a link to that EBook.

https://instructions.wrightbalance.com/programmed-instruction-for-lessons/

Each Chapter and all that follow is based on all preceding Chapters. Progress to the next Chapter only after you have completed the quizzes with a 90 percent score. Why? Wright Balance® is science based. Anyone using Wright Balance® without a comprehensive understanding of each phase will compromise the Science of Wright Balance®.

Absolutely every concept presented in these chapters shows a proof of concept which is easily tested and experienced by the reader.

Introduction

Note: This material is a tutorial for Wright Balance® Professionals and their students as a supplement to the online Wright Balance® Zoom education sessions with me.

What's New?

As of 2023, Wright Balance® has progressed from 3 Zones with 3 subregions in each Zone to 3 Zones with 5 subregions.

This is an illustration of 3 Zones with 3 subregions in each Zone used for the past several years.

In late 2023, research was completed on a revision of the subregions of these 3 Zones. Below are front and back views of the latest revision illustrating the results of this research.

Note that the color coding of the Core Zones has not changed. Red is still the Upper Core Zone; Black the Middle Core Zone and Blue the Lower Core Zone. The only change in this model is that there are 5 subregions in each Core Zone.

Question

What color is the Upper Core Zone**?

Answer

The Upper Core Zone is Red

The Color coding is important as you will see when determining the one dominant subregion and setting handle size by Core Zone. Please review the graphics of the 15 Core subregions as you will see this question again.

The illustrations above show the horizontal plane of the 3 Core Zones. The following video shows the vertical plane. These 3 Zones are divided into the Anterior Zone or Front and color coded red; the Interior Zone (Middle) is color coded black; and the Posterior Zone (Back) is color coded blue.

In this brief video you see 3 vertical Core Zones. The Anterior Zone is Red; the Interior Zone is Black and the Posterior Zone is Blue. Note that the front of the Body (Anterior Zone) is Red; the inside segment of the body (Interior Zone) is Black and back of the body is Blue (Posterior Zone).

Anytime I refer to the horizontal Upper Core (red), it always includes a corresponding vertical Zone or the Anterior Zone, also red. Anytime I refer to the horizontal Middle Core (black) it always includes the corresponding vertical Interior Zone, also black. Anytime I refer to the Lower Core (blue), it always includes the corresponding vertical the Posterior Zone, also blue.

When a player is tested and determined to be an Upper Core / Anterior Zone player and they stand tall, looking straight ahead with a straight spine and add knee flex, they will ALWAYS be on the balls of their feet as shown in this illustration.

This observation has been repeated over the years with proof of concept using pressure / force plates to observe balance positions in the feet.

There is absolutely NEVER combined colors of the Core. Red Horizontal always includes Red Vertical, etc. The result is experienced in heel to toe balance as shown above. Heel to toe balance is the key to how a player uses the ground and how they swing the club. Physical balance is the foundation of the set up to the ball, the sequencing of motion and the use of the core, legs, arms and hands through the entire swing.

Question

The Black Vertical Zone is referred to as the _______ Zone

Answer

The Black Vertical Zone is referred to as the Interior Zone

The heel to toe balance for Interior Zone player is just forward of the center of the arches and behind the balls of the feet. That balance position will ALWAYS be observed when the player stands tall with a straight spine, looking straight ahead they add knee flex. The following illustration shows the Middle Core / Interior Zone balance position in the feet.

When the Lower Core Zone player stands tall looking straight ahead with a straight spine and they add knee flex, balance is ALWAYS over the center of the arches as shown in this illustration.

Each of these balance positions impacts how the player uses the ground. Wright Balance® professionals have done extensive research using ground reaction force measurement systems in determining the use of the ground by Core Zone. I will cover ground reaction force by Core Zone in a future chapter.

Question

If you have a player whose balance is as shown here, what is their Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

That balance configuration is that of a Middle Core / Interior Zone player

Question

If you have a player whose balance is as shown here, what is their Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

That Balance configuration is that of a Lower Core / Posterior Zone Player

Question

If you have a player whose balance is as shown here, what is their Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

That Balance Configuration is that of an Upper Core / Anterior Zone Player.

Below is a summary of the heel to toe balance of each of the Core Zones on both the horizontal and vertical plane.

Question

Heel to toe balance as shown in these illustrations is the key to:

How the player will use the ground

The sequencing of motion in the swing

How the player will swing the club

How the player will grip the club

The player's posture

All of the above

Answer

6.All of the above

Why are we so concerned about the color and numbers within each Core Zone? First, following the determination of the Dominant Core Zone, we can easily determine which number (1-5) is our dominant subregion within that Core Zone. Each of us has only one Dominant Core Zone and, within that Zone, one dominant subregion out of the 5 subregions. That means that out of the 15 total Core subregions (5 subregions in each of the 3 Core Zones), there is only one Dominant Subregion.

The color coding helps identify which precise subregion is the Dominant subregion. The carrying angle, described in Chapter 1, changes by Dominant subregion. With the proper handle size that matches the Core Zone, you will be able to change the carrying angle and Dominant subregion with a 1 minute exercise. You will learn the processes of determining handle (grip) size and changing carrying angle to fit the player's ideal delivery to the ball in a future chapter.

In summary, once we identify the Dominant Core Zone, we can easily determine which of the 5 subregions within that Zone is our Dominant Core Zone subregion (1-5). No matter what Core Zone you change to, you always default (return) to your original Core Zone and Dominant Subregion within that Zone.

During a discussion Zoom call in this series I will show you how to determine the Dominant Core Zone and the Dominant Subregion.

Question

How many Core subregions are there in each Core Zone?

A. One (1)

B. Three (3)

C. Four (4)

D. Five (5)

Answer

D. Five (5)

Question

If I tell you my Dominant Core Zone and subregion is Blue 3, what is my Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

If the Dominant Core Zone is "Blue", it is the Lower Core Zone.

Question

Once the Dominant Core Zone is determined, using the stance widths marked as Red, Black or Blue 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 will provide information on the Dominant Core subregion. How?

Answer

Assume that the Dominant Core Zone has been determined to be Upper / Red. The hips will square only on one of the 5 Red subregions (Red 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5). The hips will not square on any of the other 4 Red subregions nor will the hips be square on any of the other 10 subregions in the Middle or Lower Core. The process of determining the Dominant Core Zone and which of the 5 subregions is Dominant is covered in Chapter 4

Question

Is there ever a time when you will see a dominant horizontal subregion of Upper Core Zone Red 3 and a vertical dominant subregion of Blue 2.

Answer

Absolutely not. The Vertical Zone Anterior (red) will always match the same horizontal Upper Core Zone, also red. The Horizontal and Vertical Zones will always match when determining the Dominant Core Zone.

Horizontal CORE & Vertical Zone Interface

When a person has a Dominant Upper Core / Anterior Zone they will always have a primary subregion. The horizontal Upper Core and the subregions within the Upper Core are shown in this illustration.

The vertical Anterior Zone also impacts the horizontal Upper Core as shown in this illustration.

This is merely an illustration of the Anterior Zone. It is not an anatomically correct depiction of the vertical Anterior Zone. It merely represents that the Anterior Zone is the front of the body.

NOTE:The measured interface of each of the Upper, Middle and Lower Core Zone on the horizontal plane and the Anterior, Interior & Posterior Zones on the vertical plane is pelvic rotation. Pelvic rotation is always present when either the horizontal and / or the vertical Zones are disrupted and it occurs in the matching "colors" of the horizontal and vertical regions.

The horizontal Middle Core (black) is shown here from the base of the sternum to the navel.

The horizontal Middle Core has a direct interface with the vertical Interior Zone, also black, as shown in the middle segment of this illustration.

Again, this is not an anatomically accurate depiction of the Interior Zone. It merely shows that the vertical Interior Zone is through the middle of the body.

Below is the horizontal Lower Core (blue) shown here from the base of the navel to the pelvic floor.

The vertical Posterior Zone (blue)is shown at the back in this illustration.

Question

What color is the Upper Core Vertical Zone in this illustration?

Answer

The Upper Core Zone is Red, the front of the illustration

Question

What Horizontal Core Region matches the Interior Zone (black) shown in this illustration.

Answer

The Middle Core Region (lower sternum to navel) shown in this illustration matches the Interior Zone, both illustration are in black.

Question

What vertical Zone matches this Lower Core (blue) region (navel to pelvic floor):

Answer

The vertical Posterior Zone (blue) matches the horizontal Lower Core region

# Chapter 2 Summary Quiz

Research on memory and forgetting shows that we remember things presented first (primacy) and things presented last (recency). There is a tendency to forget information presented in the middle when learning new content. The purpose of summary quizzes is to test your knowledge of the content presented in this chapter the video from the Zoom session on this chapter.

The following question are based upon the content you read in this Chapter.

Question

The Black Vertical Zone is referred to as the _______ Zone

Answer

The Black Vertical Zone is referred to as the Interior Zone

Question

If you have a player whose balance is as shown here, what is their Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

That balance configuration is that of a Middle Core / Interior Zone player

Question

If you have a player whose balance is as shown here, what is their Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

That Balance configuration is that of a Lower Core / Posterior Zone Player

Question

If you have a player whose balance is as shown here, what is their Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

That Balance Configuration is that of an Upper Core / Anterior Zone Player.

Question

The Black Vertical Zone is referred to as the _______ Zone

Answer

The Black Vertical Zone is referred to as the Interior Zone

Question

Heel to toe balance as shown in these illustrations is the key to:

How the player will use the ground

The sequencing of motion in the swing

How the player will swing the club

All of the above

Answer

4.All of the above

Question

How many Core subregions are there in each Core Zone?

A. One (1)

B. Three (3)

C. Four (4)

D. Five (5)

Answer

D. Five (5)

Question

If I tell you my Dominant Core Zone and subregion is Blue 3, what is my Dominant Core Zone?

Answer

If the Dominant Core Zone is "Blue", it is the Lower Core Zone.

Question

Is there ever a time when you will see a dominant horizontal subregion of Upper Core Zone Red 3 and a vertical dominant subregion of Blue 2.

Answer

Absolutely not. The Vertical Zone Anterior (red) will always match the same horizontal Upper Core Zone, also red. The Horizontal and Vertical Zones will always match when determining the Dominant Core Zone.

In Conclusion

As already noted, Wright Balance® is Science based with proof of concept at every presentation of measurement. You will experience that in subsequent Chapters. These chapters are presenting a foundation of that science for your future learning. If you passed this quiz with less than 90 percent, please review the Chapter and preceding chapters

Dear "Tweakers": There is a process I am all too familiar with based upon the history of Wright Balance® research and the application of these principles by various professionals. Some individuals have a need to "change" the approach in something new that places their signature on the process. In this case, I am referring to Wright Balance® technology. Doing so may very well change the outcome of the results, thus compromising the science of Wright Balance®. In Chapter 1 you read of two instances where I observed outliers or measurement strategies no longer used. Those observations didn't change the outcome. I point out those instances in the chapters.

I invite you to do one of two things to avoid compromising the science of Wright Balance®:

Contact me directly at dvdwright99@gmail.com, describe the "tweak" you suggest and I will review it with a research committee of Wright Balance® professionals and, with consensus, put it to rigorous testing. You will be credited with any changes.

If you make an observation of an outcome (and / or outlier) not consistent with Wright Balance® predictions, please contact me directly and your observation will be reviewed in detail by the Wright Balance® research committee. Please contact me at dvdwright99@gmail.com Again, following a rigorous scrutiny of your observation, if in fact an adjustment were to be made to the Wright Balance process, you will be credited with the changes.

If after reviewing the above you are inclined to "change" the Wright Balance® proof of concept models, I promise you that will lead you down a path that is a dead end. It has taken 30 plus years to arrive at the current, disruptive technology with numerous "dead ends" along the way. Good luck. If you still decide to make changes, please do not refer to your work in the context of Wright Balance®.