| February riding tip and pic from Gary Semics MX |
| Riding on the Balls of the Feet I am really surprised how many people are interested about the technique of riding on the balls of the feet or riding on the arches. I’ll tell you right up front that being comfortable riding on the balls of the feet takes a lot of practice. But when a rider does become comfortable with this technique there are three benefits to it. # 1 you have more body travel, #2 you won’t hit the shifter or rear brake by accident and #3 you won’ t get your feet ripped off the foot pegs from your toe hitting the dirt. As I said, for this technique to become natural its takes a lot of the correct type of practice. So don’t throw it out the window if it feels awkward at first. It’s kind of like down hill skiing. It’s easier to keep your feet farther apart when you are a beginner but the pros keep their skis closer together. One place motocross pros are always on the balls of their feet is through the whoops. If it can be done through the whoops it can be done anywhere on the track. The only acceptation is if you're going to land hard from a jump or even case a jump. In this case you would want to be on the arches of your feet so you don't sprain your ankles. Just make sure you have your toes pointed out a little so you don't hit the shifter or rear brake by accident. It all comes with knowing the correct techniques and a lot of quality practice time. For all the correct techniques in an affordable easy to understand format check out my Motocross Practice Manual on the DVD ordering page of my website. For free MX Technique DVD previews, MX School Schedules, my new DVD release (MX Sand & Grass Techniques) and much more visit www.garysemics.com |
| January riding tip and pic from Gary Semics MX |
| The most important part of the jump is where the bike actually leaves the ground, where you have the compression and rebound part of the jump. What gives you control at this critical part of the jump is your body movements and throttle control. Along with this body movement and throttle control is timing. The timing is so critical that the body movement and throttle control has to be an automatic reflex reaction. This is why it takes so much time and practice to learn to jump well. Key into the compressing and rebound part of the jump, move your body back a little as the rear wheel kicks up and blip the throttle a little at the same time. This will cause the front wheel to stay level or come up a little. If the front wheel is too high don’t move back as much or give it as much throttle. If you want the front end lower it’s just the opposite; don’t blip the throttle as much and don’t move back as much. When you want to accelerate after the landing it’s best to land with the throttle on. Check back next month for tip 2. For free MX Technique DVD previews, MX School Schedules and much more visit www.garysemics.com |
