Tae Bo Footwork

[Guest guest]

OK, I admit it, my footwork stinks when it comes to Tae Bo, my form on my kicks

is good, I can keep with the all of the punches, but sometimes my footwork,

especially during the combinations, is plain bad, no matter how hard I try...:-(

To start with, I have two left feet, I've always been a lousy dancer, at least

while sober...:-), since I'm always sober now that excuse no longer flies. In

addition, sometimes I think I'm afraid to just let it go, because I'm afraid of

kicking something in the house that may be of value, I'd be curious to see if my

footwork improves if I work out in a studio.

Is this something I should really be overly concerned about?? As I said, I try

to make up for my deficiencies by really concentrating on technique.

Would love to hear some thoughts, especially from the instructors, because I'm

sure you've come across some bad moves while teaching, any advice you could give

a poor boy with no rhythm??

Thanks,

Jerry

[Guest guest]

> OK, I admit it, my footwork stinks when it comes to Tae Bo, my

> form on my kicks is good, I can keep with the all of the punches,

> but sometimes my footwork, especially during the combinations, is

> plain bad, no matter how hard I try...:-(

hi jerry - im no instructor but i always try to pick up my knees and thusly

pickup my feet. there is to be no dragging your feet on the floor. to

demonstrate this in one of the workouts, billy lays down on the floor at the

feet of a guy in his class and forces the guy to pick up his feet (because

he had to step over billy) as he does his kicks.

i think that if you concentrate on picking up your knees and feet then it

should help.... i dont think that having no dance experience matters in

taebo...lol

-carolyn.

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[Guest guest]

Yes, try putting laying something in the direction you need to kick, so you're forced to pick your knees up and then go into proper position on the way down, so you don't touch the object. You can practice this during your non-Tae Bo times as well. It doesn't have to be very high, but just high enough so you have to go over it and not just drag your foot to where it needs to be in position. Then once you get better and better, you can challenge yourself to higher things.

When we were in L.A. for the customer appreciation weekend and took our personal training with . He had me practice my kicks in front of the stage. I *thought* I was lifting my knees high, but I wasn't. He had me stand right in front of the stage and it forced me to be sure I've cleared the stage before I do my kick. I could really feel the difference. When I do the workouts at home, I use a visual. Be sure my foot is at a certain point and then execute the kick

[Guest guest]

> Would love to hear some thoughts, especially from the instructors,

because I'm sure you've come across some bad moves while teaching,

any advice you could give a poor boy with no rhythm??

>

Jerry,

It is hard sometimes when you are working in a confined space to

really let loose, but there are some things you can do to improve

your footwork, even in close quarters. One thing that has

always emphasized in his classes and that I always remind my students

of is to emphasize your movements. So, for example when you are

doing the move where you are doing a front knee raise or a front kick

(you know, step left, right knee up and then you tap back with the

left foot) really emphasize pulling your knee up strong and really

emphasize that tap back on the left leg. It really does make a

difference in your body when you energize your movements. It's tough

when you start to get tired and your feel start to move a little

slower, but try to really emphasize making your body strong from the

bottom up. If you feet start to drag..your whole body will start to

drag. Also, on the lateral movements, just try to pick your feet as

you move side to side. And like somebody mentioned with the

kicks....place something down next to you that you have to step over

before you kick. It could be a pillow or something like that. But,

it really helps you with your footwork if you consciously have to

step over something before you throw that kick.

Hope some of that helps