Balance beam 1 – Walk steps
- Technique
- View of the practitioner
- Biomechanics
- Faults
- Physical preparation
- Drill
- Spotting
- Worksheets
Walking is the basic locomotion we use to move on the balance beam. Unlike walking on the ground, the increased difficulty is limited by the area of the base, so we place our feet in line one behind the other. Walking can be performed in many variations - forward, backward, sideways, over the whole foot, on tiptoes, with squats on the standing lower leg, with forward kicks, and more.
The mechanics of walking is based mainly on working with the centre of gravity while maintaining balance. The movement begins by shifting the centre of gravity away from the base of support, so the body falls over. By the step, the practitioner creates a new base of support over which the centre of gravity moves. This allows to avoid a fall. In comparison to ordinary walking on the ground, the width of the stride is minimized, which places higher demands on maintaining dynamic balance during the locomotor movement.
- Body not held upright.
- Head flexion.
- Arms not raised sideways.
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Physical preparation 1
Raise leg forward and backward in one leg stand.
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Drill 1
During the training we practice different types of walking on a line on the ground, or on a low wider training beam - "trainer". We can include the following: walking, toe walking forwards and backwards, walking sideways, crossover walking, walking with turns, walking with leg lifting forwards, sideways and backwards.
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Drill 2
Before practicing walking on the balance beam try standing on your tiptoes.