TargetTalk

During the summer I am working a lot on balance training with my NJROTC Rifle Team. In "ways of the rifle", they are using individual wobble boards for each foot. Doing a search, I am unable to find any other than the larger circular boards. Does anyone have a source or plans where I can make my own? Thanks

Cut 2 pieces of wood from a 2x4 into lengths slightly longer than your foot. Then, use a belt sander to create a slight curvature to bottom of each length. Voila, individual wobble pads, and extremely cheap to make (as long as you have a belt sander).

The amount of curvature depends on your desired difficulty level.

-trinity

Not a rifle shooter...but out of curiosity, what are these boards for?

conradin wrote:Not a rifle shooter...but out of curiosity, what are these boards for?

They help you improve your balance. You practice standing on the wobble boards. You have to develop really good balance to be able to hold a shot on them. Makes shooting on the solid ground seem like a piece of cake.

Assuming a length of 36 cm (about 14 inches) how much would you take out at the tips with the belt sander?

djsomers wrote: They help you improve your balance. You practice standing on the wobble boards. You have to develop really good balance to be able to hold a shot on them. Makes shooting on the solid ground seem like a piece of cake.

Is that for training how to deal with the natural body wobble?

rmca wrote:Assuming a length of 36 cm (about 14 inches) how much would you take out at the tips with the belt sander?

It really depends on the amount of challenge you want. If you take 1.25" off at the tip, you will probably find that it gives you a lot of movement. You can start with 1/2", work up to 3/4", 1" and so on.

-trinity

Thanks trinity!

conradin wrote: Is that for training how to deal with the natural body wobble?

It's to reduce your natural body wobble. If you have to work harder to maintain the position because of the wobble boards, it stands to reason than when you stand without them you will became more "solid" in the position.

rmca wrote:Thanks trinity!

conradin wrote: Is that for training how to deal with the natural body wobble?

It's to reduce your natural body wobble. If you have to work harder to maintain the position because of the wobble boards, it stands to reason than when you stand without them you will became more "solid" in the position.

It's also a great way of training your core muscles. Those muscles control your fine movements and developing better core stability helps you stand still better. Works for all disciplines, although I prefer a single board, especially for training pistol.

Rob.

Here's an interesting solution to wobble boards. Given the price, amusing actually. I wonder if this method actually works.




http://tec-hro.de/schiesssport/en/train ... lance.html

adrianS wrote:Here's an interesting solution to wobble boards. Given the price, amusing actually. I wonder if this method actually works.




http://tec-hro.de/schiesssport/en/train ... lance.html

Yes the price is silly... But..

If you practice Yoga or Pilates (both excellent for core and balance) for some of the balance positions if you do them on the floor barefoot then try doing them on a sponge mat they become harder. It stands to reason that shooting on sponge boards or wobble blocks would help train balance in standing and to some extent keneeling. The thicker the sponge or the shorter the radius of the wobble blocks the harder it is to maintain balance.

As a training tool they are excellent for focusing on this area but be careful as it can introduce unwanted tensions and distract you from other areas of your technique which in my eyes are more important in standing i.e NPA sighting, triggering and timing.


A while back i was talking with one of our top shooters and he uses a swiss ball to help with balance. hes the only guy iv ever seen stand on one and walk it round a gym without falling off !!

The TEC_HRO balance looks like packaging material that I can buy at my local UPS store.

And it probably is... Just waaaaaaaayyy over priced!