Topic: Crooked Monkey/Kong

[-Ash-]

When I do a kong over a railing, it isn't straight. It goes out to the side a bit. I've been trying to fix it all day and I can't. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Sai Chikine]

Wait for little while and try again tomorrow. Sometimes you just 'forget' how to do something. You don't want to keep doing it wrong and instill it into your muscle memory.

Could you ever do it before? Or are you learning the moves for the first time?

Because one day I kept going over to the side for no reason and I couldn't do it for some reason when I frequently did it right before. THe next did it was fine though.

If you're learning it for the first time, try it one an armrest to a couch or something and just keep your hands on it and pull your legs through. See what's wrong. Try it on a couch first so if you faceplant its not a big deal. It's probably just fear. If not, it could be that you're not tucking enough, or your arms aren't giving enough lift. Practice whichever one is your problem.

[-Ash-]

Wait for little while and try again tomorrow. Sometimes you just 'forget' how to do something. You don't want to keep doing it wrong and instill it into your muscle memory.

Could you ever do it before? Or are you learning the moves for the first time?

Because one day I kept going over to the side for no reason and I couldn't do it for some reason when I frequently did it right before. THe next did it was fine though.

If you're learning it for the first time, try it one an armrest to a couch or something and just keep your hands on it and pull your legs through. See what's wrong. Try it on a couch first so if you faceplant its not a big deal. It's probably just fear. If not, it could be that you're not tucking enough, or your arms aren't giving enough lift. Practice whichever one is your problem.

I've been practicing on a couch and can't seem to get it right. Though, I'm probably gonna have to take a break from this because...well, see my topic in injuries. 

[Hazim Salem]

When I do a kong over a railing, it isn't straight. It goes out to the side a bit. I've been trying to fix it all day and I can't. Any ideas? Thanks.

Do you mean that when you kong, you don't pass your legs under you, but to the side instead? If that, then just practice more.

[-Ash-]

Not really. Its like it goes to the side inside of my arms I guess. Its hard to explain. I'll get a pic of some sort...

[-Ash-]

Since I'm laying on the couch with my injured knee, I couldn't get real pics. I tried to do my best on these. Use a little imagination. 

[Sai Chikine]

Whats happening is like what happens to my friend. Look at ozzi's kong tutorial. Do the progressions. My friend can't seem to get his legs past his hands on the table (you'll see on the progression in the video). This seems to relate to arm strength. You also have to commit to the vault and really dive. It helps to keep your head looking down a few times and keep your hips up. THis also takes core strength.

[Travis S]

Try getting your hips up higher after driving straight up into the vault.

[-Ash-]

Okay, thanks guys, I'll check that out.

[-Ash-]

Sorry to bump this, but...

I've tried everything that has been suggested and its still crooked. I can't think of anything else I can do. Practice doesn't seem to improve it.

[Hazim Salem]

Sorry to bump this, but...

I've tried everything that has been suggested and its still crooked. I can't think of anything else I can do. Practice doesn't seem to improve it.

Do ground kongs. It might help.

[Mike Aman]

It sounds a little bit like your legs are going to the side a little bit to give you more space between the object and your feet; in this case it's probably a method of compensation for something else that could use improvement in the vault. I'd take the other person's advice, try to get your hips (your center of gravity) up higher during the jump. This should enable you to raise your feet more into your chest and into the air.

This is my best guess based on what you've provided.

[-Ash-]

It sounds a little bit like your legs are going to the side a little bit to give you more space between the object and your feet; in this case it's probably a method of compensation for something else that could use improvement in the vault. I'd take the other person's advice, try to get your hips (your center of gravity) up higher during the jump. This should enable you to raise your feet more into your chest and into the air.

This is my best guess based on what you've provided.

I have plenty of space between the object and my feet, though. I've been practicing all day. It's like...me knees veer to the side.

But I'll try the ground kongs... 

[Travis S]

Can your weak abs not control your legs?

[Sai Chikine]

Can your weak abs not control your legs?

No offense but this seems to be the problem. You need core strength to control your lower body.

[Shawn Meilicke]

you may also just be subconsciously worrying that youll clip your feet. i learned kongs on a couch too, and when i started i kept doing this. before you do the full kong, try just putting your hands on the back of it and jumping up into the tuck without going anywhere to reassure yourself that you can get your feet over. there could also be the problem of space you have to move in along with how high the couch is. if you only have like one step and its a really tall couch you may just not have enough momentum.

if you can, i would find a low fence to practice with like this one



that kind of fence is surprisingly hard to find a picture of, lol. but this is what ive been using to practice most of my vaults on (obviously not that exact one) but a park near my house is surrounded by one of those things

[-Ash-]

No offense but this seems to be the problem. You need core strength to control your lower body.

None taken. That actually seems really likely, considering this is the first time I've gotten any sort of exercise!    Will Sit-Ups help?

@Shawn: I guess I could. It doesn't seem like I'm scared, though. The couch I'm practicing on is a little above my waist, and a good ten feet behind it. I'm going to go right now and experiment with momentum.

They're a few of those fences in my neighborhood, but they are all really shaky.

Thanks for the help everyone. 

[Hazim Salem]

None taken. That actually seems really likely, considering this is the first time I've gotten any sort of exercise!   Will Sit-Ups help?

@Shawn: I guess I could. It doesn't seem like I'm scared, though. The couch I'm practicing on is a little above my waist, and a good ten feet behind it. I'm going to go right now and experiment with momentum.

They're a few of those fences in my neighborhood, but they are all really shaky.

Thanks for the help everyone. 

Sit-ups are a good starter. Try L-sits. Find a corner on your kitchen counter, lift yourself with your arms, and keep your legs parallel to the ground as long as you can. You can move them in mid-air too if you want.

[-Ash-]

I'll try that, though it sounds pretty dang hard. 

[Hazim Salem]

I'll try that, though it sounds pretty dang hard. 

Work on those everyday, up to like 30 seconds, and you'll get really nice abs.