Balance

[Dianna]

When I do kicks, my balance is horrible, especially when kicking with my left leg. Will that improve with just practice or is there additional things I can do to work on that?

[AdamKralic]

When I do kicks, my balance is horrible, especially when kicking with my left leg. Will that improve with just practice or is there additional things I can do to work on that?

Practice makes perfect in all things. You say that your balance is "off." Can you do roundhouse kicks? Can you do two roundhouse kicks without setting your kicking leg down inbetween kicks? 3? 4? 5? 6? 7?

Have someone hold a kicking hand pad at the highest height that you can do once. Practice kicking the pad repeatedly without setting the foot down inbetween kicks. Mark your progress.

Make it a daily exercise. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes tops per day. If done every single day...your balance will improve.

Please keep your hands in a guard position while doing these kicks.

[Aodhan]

Balance will improve as you learn to interpret the signals coming from your body when you are in different positions.

Abdominal, oblique and lower back muscles (Often somewhat erroneously referred to as "the core") play as much a part of balance as any other segment. If you are weak in these muscles, balance may be affected.

Practice, practice practice, try to balance in weird positions, and get stronger. All of these will help.

John

[Wastelander]

On top of the great recommendations you have already been given, I would add slow motion kicking. It lets you work technique and form, but also forces you to work your balance.

[Dianna]

Balance will improve as you learn to interpret the signals coming from your body when you are in different positions.

Abdominal, oblique and lower back muscles (Often somewhat erroneously referred to as "the core") play as much a part of balance as any other segment. If you are weak in these muscles, balance may be affected.

Practice, practice practice, try to balance in weird positions, and get stronger. All of these will help.

John

Any suggestions on weird positions?

[Dianna]

On top of the great recommendations you have already been given, I would add slow motion kicking. It lets you work technique and form, but also forces you to work your balance.

Good idea Thank you.

[hammer]

On top of the great recommendations you have already been given, I would add slow motion kicking. It lets you work technique and form, but also forces you to work your balance.

+1...Slow motion kicking (by the numbers) is really good for balance.

In class we also use combination kicks as a means for a balance drill...combine front snap, side, roundhouse etc. We do the kicks with full power but not quickly.

One other suggestion I received from an instructor a while back was to stand up and balance on one leg during TV commercials. Have not done this much but when I did I realized that commercials run pretty long...

[hammer]

On top of the great recommendations you have already been given, I would add slow motion kicking. It lets you work technique and form, but also forces you to work your balance.

+1...Slow motion kicking (by the numbers) is really good for balance.

In class we also use combination kicks as a means for a balance drill...combine front snap, side, roundhouse etc. We do the kicks with full power but not quickly.

One other suggestion I received from an instructor a while back was to stand up and balance on one leg during TV commercials. Have not done this much but when I did I realized that commercials run pretty long...

[Aodhan]

Balance will improve as you learn to interpret the signals coming from your body when you are in different positions.

Abdominal, oblique and lower back muscles (Often somewhat erroneously referred to as "the core") play as much a part of balance as any other segment. If you are weak in these muscles, balance may be affected.

Practice, practice practice, try to balance in weird positions, and get stronger. All of these will help.

John

Any suggestions on weird positions?

Stand on one leg. Do the karate kid crane pose, then stick your leg straight out, move it around behind you, all while on one leg. Practice hopping from a balance on one foot to the other foot. Learn to grip with your toes, and how to "sit" into a position to get balance over your leg.

Go find a friendly pool, and practice kicks and balance drills in chest deep water where you have support. Figure out where/how you start to lose balance. Progress to shallower and shallower water, and note the same things.

Do goofy stuff. Practice keeping a balloon in the air by kicking with one leg. Count how many kicks before you have to put a foot down. Things like that. Pretty much anything you can do on one foot without really endangering yourself.

John

[Dianna]

Great ideas everyone. Thank you. I will have to start trying some of these ideas today.