How to Improve Balance for Martial Arts

Balance can be key in a martial arts contest.

Balance is the ability to maintain body positioning without falling. It is said that 90 percent of fights end up on the ground, so something must be happening to make a fighter lose his balance. According to the website Martial Development, the mistake being made probably is either that you are using your opponent to help you balance, or your opponent is using you.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A physician's approval

1. Properly align your body when performing martial arts techniques. Most techniques require certain body positioning in order to be performed correctly. Slightly varying your alignment can ruin your balance.

2. Take small, quick steps with your knees bent. This will help keep your center of gravity low and keep you balanced.

3. Remain in a comfortable stance in which you can maintain all of your weight in your center of gravity.

4. Reduce dizziness when spinning by focusing your eyes on a single spot in your environment.

5. Practice slowly executing the kicks you have learned while balancing on one foot. Also try moving your kicking leg in different patterns while balancing on one leg.

6. Close your eyes when training. This works well with shadow boxing and wrestling, but obviously has its limitations.

7. Play games in which you and a partner must hop on one foot and push the other off balance. This game can be played using your hands or feet.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid crossing your legs.

References

• Martial Development: Increase Your Power By Improving Your Balance
• MarksTraining.com: Balance Exercises for Martial Arts