[12 piece bucket]

My specific question is whether the right hip is cleared by the right forearm pickup..... As long as you specify - CORRECT (correct being on your chosen plane) right forearm pickup, the answer is YES, YES, and more YES. That is the hand controlled pivot. Note the word controlled. Not just that the hands are imprortant, but they actually control or dictate (per 5-0). If you are determined to trace your chosen plane line, the right hip simply must clear - clear meaning move or get out the way. Dictation by the hands means a perfect pivot - no more or less movement for your machine (that must remain stable) than necessary.

If you wanted to pre clear the right hip, you could trace the plane line (right forearm pickup) in a "practice" right forearm pickup and just keep the hip in the cleared position.

Nice post and description . . . how about a similar explanation on the Downstroke?