Coordination

A common complaint heard from new white belts is, "I'm not coordinated." Is this really true? All white belts walk upright, which is a very complicated skill that requires a lot of precise movements, so they must have a lot of coordination. Actually, all people with normal abilities and in good health have good coordination.

Learning a new physical skill, such as Taekwondo, takes practice. Remember the first time you tried to ride a bicycle, use skates, or drive a car; you felt uncoordinated. However, after some practice, you now perform these tasks with ease. Part of coordination is physical, part is mental, and part is the interaction between the two.

Experienced black belts think they have mastered coordination. After seeing a talented black belt perform a complicated pattern or a flashy jump spinning kick combination, you would probably think they have perfect coordination. However, is this true?

Everyone has heard of the coordination test of patting the top of your head with one hand while rubbing your abdomen with the other hand, or vice-versa, but that is easy. If you think you are coordinated, try this little test:

• While you are sitting at your computer reading this, lift your right foot off the floor and make small clockwise circles with it.
• Now, with your right index finger, draw the number "6" in the air.
• Your right foot will change direction and start circling counterclockwise!
• Practice all you want, but try as you might, you will not be able to control the direction the foot moves. So much for your coordination!