Getting on the heel....

[M.P. Morse III]

In the never ending effort of self improvement, I am trying to improve my form and power by getting my weight back on my heel.

This is obvious when watching the pros....

My problem.... I have always played sports and activities that demand weight on the ball of your feet. I am trying to slow my feet down and get that solid heel plant and turn. It just feels so awkward.

Any thoughts or tips to help me train this out???

thanks for the read
-Milt

[Jeremy Thresher]

I have no tips on this, because I am in the same boat. This morning I was trying to work on this, but I have such a natural tendency to rotate on my toes. It's hard kicking a bad habit. I should go to meetings.

[Matt Aubin]

you can't think about heel pivot, when you do some terrible throws happen.

practice the X step without throwing, use a towel. When you do, half way through the X, concentrate NOT on landing on your heel to pivot, but concentrate on pushing your front leg more forward after the X step. push off harder with the back foot so your front foot (which should be more forward) is forced to rotate on the heel. it should happen naturally.

Example: imagine you are 3 steps behind your marker mini; you know that your usual X step run up will put you riiight behind your mini. Instead, try to land past the mini so you're extending the front foot.

the problem with getting heel pivot from this little method is that it actually ruins your hip rotation and weight transfer. It all comes together when you can combine all three. that comes with practice and timing.

'getting low' in the throwing motion also helps, bend the knees a little and stay 'athletic' through the motion.

[Peter Bean]

Just do this.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rauvjnphLc

[Matt Aubin]

that video demonstrates what i'm talking about perfectly. look how much he pushes his front foot forward after the x step. It gets to a point where you have to pivot on your heel to avoid hurting your leg.

[M.P. Morse III]

yes, Pete and i spoke before i read your posts Matt..... thanks though it was exactly what i was looking for...

i also spoke to the Street after our challenge saturday...... looks like some field practice/video time may be coming up....

[Nick_Novia]

Here is a video where Feldberg breaks down the heel pivot technique. Its very helpful, although difficult...all about "holding the line!"
http://youtu.be/lUOq09T2q54

[M.P. Morse III]

thanks for the link....

the key for me was the part where he explains the "toe-heel-toe" motion..... that was my missing peice....

good stuff!

[erica johnson]

I started fixing this bad habit by taking bigger steps. Putting your front foot down & farther, forces you to use your heel while weight shifting. If your step is wide enough, you literally cant pivot on the ball of your foot. Also, take a look at what your back leg is doing & when.

[Jaxon Sheehy]

i still can't do this yet-
it always feels like i'm cancelling out the whole throwing motion just to do some stupid heel twist...
but i can see how when Schusterick does it, it's literally just to relieve pressure on his knee
his weight is already shifted and he's just opening up his leg after the fact...

[Titan_Bariloni]

it does feel so much better on the knee...when using the heel instead of toe

[M.P. Morse III]

after looking at some old pictures, i discovered that i was indeed planting toe-heel-toe.....

then i stimbled upon this article...

http://heavydisc.blogspot.com/2013/11/i ... e.html?m=1

Erica, you were 100% correct....

i was doing everything right EXCEPT taking a longer stride before i planted....

had the chance to try it out a few days ago, and i immediately noticed the difference....

not that i was instantly throwing 100 ft. further, but that there was so much more power available....

a bit of practice (and slight change in disc selection) and i know ill be increasing my distance by at least that much....