But_Why Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Hi, i've just started training a few months or so ago. We have just recently started sparring and i have noticed i spend a lot of time on my heels or sides of my feet when sparring, thereby making any movement backwards slow and awkward. I really want to correct this as soon as possible, so it doesn't become a problem that plagues me for ages. What kinda drills/exercises/tips do you have for me to correct this? I'm 6'1"ish and of a large build. I am guessing i feel the most stable when i move like this, so i thought perhaps i should spend a few hours just moving around on the balls of my feet. But as i have said i'm just a beginner looking for advice. Thanks for any replies.
Pacificshore Posted June 21, 2003 Posted June 21, 2003 Hi and welcome Now for your question, you are on the right track by working on staying on the balls of your feet. Also try to keep your feet at a 50/50 distance. Make sure your knees are flexed. When you move forward, front foot first followed by back foot, but always keep the equal distance. To move back you do the same thing only in reverse. To move laterally, depends on whether your a lefty or righty. If your left foot is forward, then moving to your left requires that you move your lead foot first then the rear foot, again keeping the same distance. Then it's the reverse if you want to move to your right. Rear leg then, then front leg. Hope this helps and good luck in your training. Di'DaDeeeee!!!Mind of Mencia
ninjanurse Posted June 21, 2003 Posted June 21, 2003 Good advice PacificShore! Practicing footwork drills A LOT will help you feel more comfortable on the balls of your feet and as time goes by your speed will increase. Balance is something that a student develops over time so be patient...your journey has only just begun! "A Black Belt is only the beginning."Heidi-A student of the artsTae Kwon Do,Shotokan,Ju Jitsu,Modern Arnishttp://the100info.tumblr.com/
capn_midnight Posted June 22, 2003 Posted June 22, 2003 another thing you can do is just jump around a lot. Not with your whole leg, just a small little hop from the balls of your feet. This actually has two effects. first, it gets you used to staying on the balls of your feet and being able to move around quickly. Secondly, it developes your calf muscles really well, which will eventually look awesome when you wear shorts. Hehe, seriously though, it will make you jump higher and move faster to have stronger calf muscles. If you ever watch basketball, you will notice the players have HUGE calf muscles. Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling a pig. After a few hours, you realize they both like it.
But_Why Posted June 23, 2003 Author Posted June 23, 2003 Thank you all for your tips. Pacificshore: I'll give that a go! 50/50 you reckon. Another thing (that i'll probably get better at when my leg strength increases) I'll have to work on is keeping my knees bent as you said! I try to do it, but i always get tired and subconsciously straighten them. I look down and low and behold they are straight again! ninjanurse: Do you have any other drills that you would recommend? I'll work on what Pacificshore has given me, do you have any other tips? capn_midnight: I'll work on my footwork, and do the jumping thing too! so you mean, just like springing from your ankles only? I will work on that. Thanks again people. Its good to know there are heaps of cool people willing to give a beginner a hand!
capn_midnight Posted June 24, 2003 Posted June 24, 2003 yeah, just from the ankles. Also, mowing the lawn has helped me a lot. I have half an acre, and try to get it all done with my push mower in about 45 minutes (a little hard with the shed, garden, fence, and trees). Pushing the mower really works on your calfs and quads. Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling a pig. After a few hours, you realize they both like it.
gheinisch Posted June 24, 2003 Posted June 24, 2003 It's all good advise you have received so far, the only thing I can add is to practice using the natural spring that God gave you in your ankles, your achilles tendon. Learn to spring quickly in all directions but especially forward, it's great for closing distances on an opponent in sparring and using a quick technique. "If your hand goes forth withhold your temper""If your temper goes forth withold your hand"-Gichin Funakoshi
cross Posted July 19, 2003 Posted July 19, 2003 It all takes time. Has you progress in your training you will get better. And one tip for sparring is, spar BLACKBELTS. Especially male black belts. If they know you are a beginner they will go easy on you. But most female black belts won't go easy. I know from experiance... hehehe...
capn_midnight Posted July 19, 2003 Posted July 19, 2003 yeah, they always act like they have something to prove... that's how people get hurt most often, when one of the sparrers has an agenda other than learning. Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling a pig. After a few hours, you realize they both like it.
cross Posted July 20, 2003 Posted July 20, 2003 Thats true. And the females always think they need to "beat" the males no matter what rank they are. Although i don't think hitting girls good, in sparring a well timed foot sweap might make them think twice about having such a bit ego.
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