How to Stop Ground Shock

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posted on 16 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Ground shock: if you don't know what that is, it's when you jump off the ground and land on a hard surface. Then you get that jolt which runs through your legs -- right? Well, that's ground shock. Whether it be jumping off a railing onto concrete or doing a high jump without the mat or sand pit. This should help you lower the impact.

Steps

Practice landing on grass or dirt first.

Make sure your landing area is clear, if you need to jump from some high place. Not too high: maybe start by trying 1 meter (approx. 3 feet) and practice that; then consider 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 meters (4 to 5 feet) off the ground. You also have to become pretty good at landing correctly.

Prepare to jump. Get yourself comfortable for the jump. Remember, you're jumping onto a hard surface.

Stretch your leg muscles so you don't pull anything. This is when you try to stop ground shock and not pull any muscles.

Land on the front edge (the ball) of your foot, right behind where all the toes join. Landing flat on the ball of your foot or completely on your sole of the foot won't prevent ground shock as much.

Flex the knees a little before landing and while landing; bend your legs, doing a partial squat (not past 90 degrees), allowing the large muscles of the legs to absorb much of the energy, then rising, straighten your body upward.