|
|
|
Previous Tips on FlankingRunning into position to flank To save time it's real important to run into position to flank by getting your body low, with your hips close to the goat's back and your right knee in his belly so when you thrust with your lower body contact with the goat is made quicker. Your butt should be rotated under yourself as you pivot into your flanking position. Your butt shouldn't be sticking out with your back straight and shoulders dropped because then your lower body is too far away from your goat to make quick contact with your flank and you'll flank more with your upper body than your lower body, all costing a few precious ticks of the clock. Really work on getting low & close to your goat when practicing on the ground. Build muscle memory & focus on getting low and close so it's more natural when you add stepping off your horse. Flanking Flat It's important to get a flat flank on your goat so that you can gather quickly. A flat flank is where the goat lands square on the ground, not rotated one way or another. You can get flat flanks by pushing your goat down to the ground equally with both of your hands. You should be able to do a "self test" in your flank by drawing a line in the dirt from the goat's front leg to his back leg that are closest to you before you flank him. The goats top line/back should land straight on the line from his shoulders to his hips. If his shoulders are away from the line, you are not pushing enough with your left hand as the goat is coming down to the ground. If the goat's butt is away from the line, you are most likely dropping the goat instead of pushing him all the way down to the ground. Both can make it more difficult to gather. Flat flanks will help the goat's back legs in position for a quick, easy gather.
Basics of how to flank the goat. Flanking: 1. Position 2. Pop up 3. Push down 4. Pin Position: Your left foot in front of the goat's front feet, knee bent with the goat's head over your left thigh, this is your roadblock for the goat's front end. Right foot behind the back legs of the goat, but your right knee BENT & TURNED IN and somewhat under the goat's belly. Your left hand on the forearm of the goat. Your right hand in the "pocket", the fold of skin in the flank of the goat. Shoulders up, butt down. Pop Up: By rolling your hips under, you pop the goat's legs out of the ground so that he rolls parallel to the ground. Your hand will hold the goat close to you so that you gain control over him. Push Down: With both of your hands you will push the goat to the ground between your feet. The goat should make contact with your thighs and then your knees as you get closer to the ground, but the goat should make contact with your body all the way into the ground. Do this slow until you gain control of your goat. He should land square/ flat on the ground. Pin: Your left knee should land on the goat's shoulders, close to your left hand. The inside of your right knee should land on the goat's thighs, close to your right hand. This will help your goat lay flat with all four legs sticking out in front of his body. Your weight should be in your hips, barely putting any pressure on the goat so it's "comfortable" for him to lay there. Your hips may be tight/sore the first several days that you do this. They will stretch out in time & it will get more comfortable for you too!
When flanking your goat, it is important to push your goat all the way to the ground. If you don't completely push him to the ground, he's top back leg will be somewhat upward, which looks like he is sucking a leg. This is a common mistake that goat tyers make when trying to get faster and is simply corrected by pushing the goat all the way to the ground, which will force his back legs straight & perfectly out in front of him, making for a consistent and quicker gather.
"What a player does best, he should practice least. Practice is for problems." ~ Duke Snider
Position to FlankYour position before you flank your goat is so important. If you're not in correct position, the chances of mis-flanking greatly increase. Position should be 1. Your left leg in front of the goat's chest. You should be low so that his head is over your left thigh- the smaller the goat, the lower you need to get. 2. Your left hand on the forearm of the goat's front leg, above the knee. 3. Your right knee in the belly of the goat, but your right foot behind the goat- so you'll be a little knocked-kneed to get you knee in his belly. Your right knee should be touching your goat. 4. Your right hand in the 'pocket' of the goat's flank. In his skin fold of his flank area. 5. You should have your butt down & chest up. 6. Rotate your hips under & into your goat so that your hips/belt buckle is as close to the goat's side as you can get it. Don't let your butt push out- it will cause your shoulders to drop. Be close to your goat- the farther away you are, the more room for error. Run close into your goat when you are practicing at home & it will carry over to the rodeos. Best of Luck! "If you do not consciously form good habits, you will unconsciously form bad ones." ~ AnonymousAfter recently attending the NHSRF in Gillette, one reoccurring 'mistake' I seen many of the goat tyers make that wasted lots of time, was getting too far forward on the goat. On 'wilder' goats that may strain, it is especially important to keep your weight in your hips & heels and only apply a little pressure to the goat by squeezing from your hips to your knees. This will keep the goat's back legs in front of you & not under you, allowing you to gather & tie quicker. It is also more comfortable for the goat, so he will naturally strain less. The cause of getting too far forward on the goat letting your weight come down on your knees; almost like you are pouncing on the goat. Instead let your butt come down first, like you are sitting down & let your knees follow the goat to the ground. If you are unclear about this tip or have any questions: contact me!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.--Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
|