Purpose:
This drill is designed to help improve balance, weight transfer and footwork skills
Where: on a slackline
Please note: for this drill you will require access to a slackline
When: any time
This drill is relatively low effort, not requiring much in the way of physical or mental energy. It can therefore be done at any time, even during breaks from climbing
The Drill:
First, let me stress one important point: you are NOT trying to walk across the line. Not on this drill anyway. Instead, we are building towards it by developing our skills
- Select a single point on the line (the closer towards the middle, the harder it will be)
- With one foot, step on to the line and try and become in balance. DO NOT TRY AND STEP, simply stand up on one foot
- Repeat with other foot
- Once comfortable with this exercise, step on to the line and gently touch the line in front and then behind your standing foot
- Repeat with other foot
- Once comfortable with this exercise, gently place your moving foot on the line in front of you and IN CONTROL rock over onto the front foot.
- Repeat with other foot (either by returning to the floor or by continuing)
- Once comfortable with this exercise, repeat by stepping behind you, instead of in front
VARIANT: you can adjust the difficulty of the exercise by progressively moving closer to the centre of the line
The Outcome: How do you know when it’s working?
Over time, you should find that your footwork starts to improve and that you are using your arms for propulsion less
You may also get better at slacklining too, although that’s not really the point of the exercise so don’t get distracted by trying to walk the line