Underwater footwork training

[pigeonmeister]

Somebody on the UK forum mentioned that a respected coach in the UK has been using underwater footwork sessions (in a pool obviously) presumably to build up strength and improve balance and general coordination. This was new to me, but I wondered if anybody had any experience of this or any possible advice for those wishing to give it a go (if people see no obvious benefit I would be equally interested)

Cheers

[rory]

This technique's used in a number of other sports. The one that springs to mind immediately is golf - practising the swing underwater gives resistance.

Pretty embarrassing in a public pool though

[pigeonmeister]

Pretty embarrassing in a public pool though

Yea that's what I was thinking!- but does it work?

[jdoiv]

I don't think it's the best thing though. You have to be carefull not to introduce a bounce into your body. If you try and lunge in the pool, you'll find that in order to propel yourself forward, you'll inevitably find yourself having to push up a little, causing and arc type of lunge. Not a very good way to lunge as your opponent sees it coming a mile away and it's slower than dirt. I think it's better to practice footwork drills with ankle weights and in front of a mirror. Also do some specifc leg strength drills to develop explosive power. just my .02

[pigeonmeister]

If you try and lunge in the pool, you'll find that in order to propel yourself forward, you'll inevitably find yourself having to push up a little, causing and arc type of lunge. Not a very good way to lunge as your opponent sees it coming a mile away and it's slower than dirt.

I think it's better to practice footwork drills with ankle weights and in front of a mirror. Also do some specifc leg strength drills to develop explosive power. just my .02

I think that is the point- you have to push a little which I gues builds up exactly the right muscles. I don't think that you go into a pool trying to improve your lunging technique. I think the advantage, over weights, is that it puts a lot less stress on the joints.

To be honest if it is all about conditioning your leg muscles- then probably just swimming would be an excellent activity. I'd like to know what 'fencing specific' excercises you could do (if any)?

[rudd]

Either an exercise is specific or it's not. It can't be almost specific or nearly specific. You shouldn't practice a movemnt that like or close to a lunge, instead you should practice your lunge. Breakdown the componests, work on hand speed, full extension of the rear leg etc. Have your coach help you analyse your faults.

At the same time you should do resiatance training to develop stength. Weights are the fastest way to see results in this area. Plyometrics may have some added benefit as well but be conservative in their application as they can increase the risk of injury.

As you build you strenth in tandem with developing the skill of lunging, your lunges will improve.

Doing fencing moves with added resiatance will only setup incorrect neorological pathways and possibly increase your risk of injury.

Ger

[hpfencing]

Maybe I am old fashion but repetition of an actual lunge is the best training for a lunge.

Sure you can do exercises to strength your legs, balence adn coodination in general but your key to a proply lunge is to practice it properly.

Underwater lunging causes a lot of incorrect pushing of muscled because of the resistance that could cause inproper form so I don't recommend anything like this to those under my guideance.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Just do weight training. You'll get so much more result in so much less time.