hisdaughter22 Posted February 3, 2004 Posted February 3, 2004 Hello all.. I have been in shotokan for 4 weeks now. Today we learned the side thrust kick. Also today I learned i have lil to no balance ...lol...especially when i think someone is watchin me...so my question would be, how do i improve my balance?? Sherry
stl_karateka Posted February 3, 2004 Posted February 3, 2004 Well the easy answer is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! Posture is very important too. Make sure your back is straight and you lean away slightly. Not forward or backward though. Also, the leg that is on the ground --- you need to rotate your hip --- this concept can be tricky -- the best way is to pivot your heel in the same direction you are kicking. Another practice tip is to lean against a wall and practice slow getting the form down. Then lean against something with less support like a chair...practice that in your spare time until you can do it without support. As far as people looking at you --- you'll get used to that! Best of luck! KarateForums.com Sempai
gheinisch Posted February 3, 2004 Posted February 3, 2004 Practice is always a good suggestion. The only I can add is is that we all lose our balance every time we throw a kick. The thing is to regain your balance as soon as you can. A student once asked his Master how it was that he never lost his balance? The Master said that he does all the time but he gets his kicking leg back to the ground so quickly that it makes it very difficult for someone to take advantage of it. So long story short, don't leave your leg hanging out there and don't let gravity be the thing that gets your leg back on the ground. Use your muscles to snap your leg back and down to the ground. You can also practice balance by doing a drill that we call climbing the tree. Get a partner and take turns doing sidekicks slowly starting just above the ankle and with each kick go higher and higher without setting your foot down. With time your balance will improve. Hope this helps some. "If your hand goes forth withhold your temper""If your temper goes forth withold your hand"-Gichin Funakoshi
ZR440 Posted February 3, 2004 Posted February 3, 2004 An easy exercise to perform before class is standing on one leg (slightly bent) and raising your other leg slowly in front to simulate a snap kick for a few seconds, return, perform side kick for a few seconds, return, perform a back heel kick, return, then lower leg. Change sides. It's happy hour somewhere in the world.
Pacificshore Posted February 4, 2004 Posted February 4, 2004 Keep your non-kicking leg bent at the knee, or as others will say keep it flexed. Point your non-kicking heel in the same direction as the kick, as someone has pointed out. Also, keep your body tight, meaning arms in close to the body, kicking knee chambered in close before and after the kick. Utilizing of a wall, chair or training partner is also good to work balance. All in all good advice from all. Hope this helps Di'DaDeeeee!!!Mind of Mencia
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