Noob needs footwork help

[Loki]

Hi out there!

I'm trying to improve speed and reach of my men-uchi, but i always nearly loose balance. During summer I'm training alone at home on gras which doesn't make it easier. I'm sure that this is a typical noob problem and so i hope that you can give some advise.
thx

[AlexM]

Hi out there!

During summer I'm training alone at home on gras which doesn't make it easier.

thx

Dude... lay off the weed... that will definately help things. You won't get the munchies in the middle of a match. :D

Ummmmm... more seriously, try going forward with your hips more maybe? That always helps. Just force yourself to keep your back straight and jump forward with the hips. You might find that you'll naturally go faster.

Just my opinion... one noob to another.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I think Alex is right, when people are off-balance they often aren't square with their hips and a lot of the time their back isn't straight either.

Get off the grass, it's just adding one more variable to your problem. Try this on a smooth floor (no shinai required, do it in your kitchen or hallway or something): just from chudan no kamae, step forward like you would when attacking men but instead of following through like normal just stay there. Check that your hips are facing squarely at your "opponent" (the fridge maybe?) throughout the motion and at the end. Check that your back is straight and relaxed. Check that your feet are straight throughout and that you pushed off with the left foot rather than stepping with the right. Lastly if you can't make this step and stop in a stable position, practice until you can.

If you get a chance to practice with a partner, try the same thing only striking his men and stopping in that extended position. This time, add checks that both arms are straight, that your right arm is shoulder height and that you correctly hit the target.

[Charlie]

Neil is terribly correct on this one! (Alex, too.) The only thing I would add is to not overlook Neil's comment on the left foot AND keep doing it even though it seems boring.

[Loki]

Thanx for your wonderful detailed advices!
I'm sure that it will take much, much time to make the whole move better.
Now I'll go downstairs to fight the fridge! :devious: