The Mechanical Model

Transitional balance is the ability to keep your center of mass controlled while the base changes. Most wobble comes from the center leaving the base.

• Controlled: center stays inside the base during transfer.
• Uncontrolled: upper body reaches, then feet chase to catch up.

If you ever feel like you’re “falling into” a stance, balance is not yet under control.

Where balance breaks

• Over-striding: step length exceeds what your hips can support.
• Reaching: chest goes first, feet follow late.
• Landing noisy: impact replaces control.
• Micro-adjustments: extra foot shuffle to find the stance.

Advanced principle: Quiet is a performance metric

Quiet feet usually means controlled transfer. Loud feet usually means loss of control or extra vertical motion. This is why transitional balance links directly to height control and timing.

White Belt → Black Belt Expression

• Beginner: land stances without wobble.
• Intermediate: remove adjustment steps and foot slaps.
• Advanced: transitions are silent and stable at speed, even through turns.

Coaching Cues

• “Don’t fall into the stance.”
• “Center stays inside the base.”
• “Quiet feet.”
• “Land, then finish.”

Refinement Drills