The Merriam-Webster definition of "operant" = functioning or tending to produce effects.
I don't understand the concept of a passive right shoulder in a hitter's action. I thought that the right shoulder must move downplane to a certain degree to prevent a hitter "running out of right arm". That means that the right shoulder is actively moving downplane to transport the loaded power package for a finite time period before PA#1 releases. Therefore, in that sense, the right shoulder is active (operant) during a triple barrel or four barrel hitting action. I an trying to clearly understand the difference between triple barrel hitting and four barrel hitting from a TGM perspective, and whether the distinction has to involve the release of PA#4 via an active right shoulder downplane movement.