Keeping Your Head Up
Although this may sound like one of the most beginner tutorials we have ever made, keeping your head up is a super important skill in motocross that many of us still fall victim to. While it may not seem like it will affect your riding, it can be one of the biggest area’s of failure for beginner and experienced alike.
Why Is Looking Down Bad?
When you look down at the ground, or your bikes front fender, it puts all the weight of your head and shoulders forward, making it super difficult to keep your balance.
Notice how the rider is not looking far ahead and can’t fully anticipate what’s coming, it’s because he’s not in a balanced position. Have you ever gotten all out of control or maybe fell over? It’s because you’re not in a balanced position when riding.
Science Of Balance
We have three systems that work together to keep us balanced, one of them is of course your vision. Try this: Stand on one leg and look straight ahead with both eyes open. Unless you are a complete clutz, it’s fairly easy to maintain balance. Now, close your eyes. Did you notice how much harder it became to balance? You may not have fallen, but you are probably wobbling a lot more than before.
This is because your brain is not receiving the visual information of your surroundings. Therefore, you can only rely upon the inner ear and muscular systems for balance which are not as effective as the visual system.
The same thing happens when you are looking down at the ground while riding motocross. You’re not seeing what’s happening around you and therefore not providing all the necessary information to your brain. In turn, you’re limiting your ability to balance.
Look, You’re Riding!
Lift up that chin and keep your head up and over the handlebar mounts while motocrossing. Keeping your head up not only improves your motocross posture and balance, but it also allows you to gather more information while riding tracks. Win, Win, Win!
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