Ninjutsu running techniques train the body to move swiftly over broken ground and routes with tricky balance. According to National Geographic's "Fight Science," a trained ninjutsu practitioner actually has more points of sensitivity on the bottoms of the feet, allowing better control of the areas where his body contacts the ground. To build these extra points, ninjutsu students practice static and dynamic balance. Ironically, the skills you need for ninjutsu running don't actually focus on running.
Static Balance Exercise
Step 1
Stand on your balance beam. If you don't have a balance beam, use a 4-inch by 4-inch piece of lumber lain on the ground. A stand-alone sidewalk curb or parking divider will also work.
Step 2
Wave your arms wildly while standing on both feet. This will throw your upper body out of balance, forcing your lower body to compensate.
Step 3
Stand on the beam using just one foot. Once you can stand comfortably like this, repeat Step 2 standing on a single foot.
Step 4
Throw kicks while standing on one leg on the balance beam. Start with slow kicks, but work your way up to full speed kicks delivered with intent.
Dynamic Balance Training
Step 1
Walk slowly along the length of your balance beam. Practice this drill until you can walk the entire length without speeding up or stopping to catch your balance.
Step 2
Run as fast as you can along the length of the balance beam. Jump off if you feel you might fall, as an uncontrolled slip can break an ankle.
Step 3
Practice kicking drills along the balance beam. Throw a front, wheel or side kick, planting your foot forward, then kick with the other foot. As you plant forward each time, you'll move forward along the beam.
Step 4
Run your kata along the balance beam, focusing as much as possible on the kata and as little as you can on maintaining balance. You will need to adjust your footwork as most ninjutsu kata do not run on a straight line.
Tips and Warnings
- Once you've become proficient with both static and dynamic balance drills, you can apply these concepts in a full broken-field run. Choose or create a littered area and run at speed across it. The balance you gained from practice will allow you to run.
- Self-teaching can give you the basics of ninjutsu running and other running techniques. However, there is no substitute for live training with a qualified teacher.
Things You'll Need
- Balance beam or similar object
References
- Jared Schorr; Ninjutsu Black Belt; Albuquerque, NM
- Ninjutsu.com
- Ninjutsu Kata Information
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