The Gambetta Method – Systematic Athletic Development Principle Two

Principle Two – Dynamic postural alignment and dynamic balance are the foundation for all training

Posture and balance are threads that are woven through the cloth of training. They are always there in some way, shape or form. Posture is a dynamic quality; it is not static! It is certainly not a posed still position. Posture is highly individual to each person’s body structure and highly adapted to the sport activity the athlete is engaged in. The actual work to improve posture is quite transparent, it is an integral part of the overall training program. Remember we are training to move, not to stand still.

Balance is inherent in quality movement. It is closely linked to posture(s). It is a dynamic controlling quality. Look for every opportunity to train balance in motion not in stillness. After all movement occurs off of one foot onto the other. In efficient movement there is constant positioning and repositioning the center of gravity over the base of support. Movement is an endless process of losing and regaining balance while moving through a variety of postures.

Traditionally both posture and balance have been thought of as isolated static qualities. Posture as rigid, statuesque as referenced to a posture grid. For balance a posed single leg static stance was considered the norm. Nothing could be further from the reality of movement. The interplay between posture and balance is an interpretive dance consisting of varied tempos dictated by the chaotic demands of the skill. The body is constantly reorganizing, adjusting and readjusting to the demands of gravity and ground reaction forces to achieve optimum alignment in order to efficiently reduce and produce force in all planes of motion. This demands that posture and balance are trained in an environment that is  almost dancelike with a wide range of rhythms and tempos. I think of Tai Chi on one end of the continuum and the Brazilian martial art Capoeira on the other end of the spectrum. Tai Chi is deliberate and flowing contrasted to Capoeira that is almost frenetic and explosive with compromising the rhythm. Both require dynamic balance and control of varied postures.

Hopefully this helps you to understand why I place posture and balance as the second principle. In many ways they are unifying element that enables the other athletic qualities to be expressed to their fullest extent. They are always there, use them and enhance them through training.

It is best to heed the sage of advice of Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid “Better  learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home. Understand?”