Windmill Help Appreciated

Newest · **Windmill Help Appreciated -** 02-03-2008, 04:53 PM

This is my 3rd day into Windmills, but the first day I've recorded them. I followed jwang's tutorial up to step 4 (The swing) but it doesn't seem right and I don't get far enough to prop back into handglide position. I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with my moves but I just don't know what it is. Advice, pointers, and tips would all be appreciated.

Note: My shoulder used to hurt from Windmilling until day 3, I guess I started collapsing better.

Talmid · 02-03-2008, 06:10 PM

It looks like you could practice a little more on the handglide position. It's important to have a decent handglide to support you initially. Then, you will want to swing your right leg a little more, keep your legs spread and straight, and then restab on the rotation.

But first, go work on strengthening your handglide, and make sure to practice all aspects of Bboying, toprock, go downs/drops, footwork, freezes, etc...

Peace!

Polar.K · 02-03-2008, 07:44 PM

You need to work on your collapse. You need to collapse properly and also really whip your legs in a circular motion to get the momentum you need to do the windmill.

Newest · 02-03-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talmid

It looks like you could practice a little more on the handglide position. It's important to have a decent handglide to support you initially. Then, you will want to swing your right leg a little more, keep your legs spread and straight, and then restab on the rotation.

Thank you for the advice. I don't think I've practiced the handglide as much, so I'll need work on that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar.K

You need to work on your collapse. You need to collapse properly and also really whip your legs in a circular motion to get the momentum you need to do the windmill.

Yes, I think I need to put a lot more of a motion into the legs... I've been going rather slowly at first to just get the concept, but I think I need more speed to get to the handglide position.

I agree that I need to work on the collapse, but on which part? I'm not sure if I'm not rolling on the right section of my back or if the arm motion is wrong.

Newest · 03-04-2008, 01:46 AM

Apologies for a double post. I've practiced on and off throughout the month (I have a lot of work) yet I still think I have improved. The problem is I roll on my hip when I return to the handglide/stabbed position. It doesn't seem normal to me.... has anyone else experienced this problem? Many thanks.

NiSenNen · 03-04-2008, 02:03 AM

Haha, I used to do this EXACT motion. Very few people do it. It happens to people who don't understand the windmill motion very well. I'll try to break it down for you.

Right now, you're not at all ready for the restab. You haven't been able to improve much from the previous video. You seem to skip everything and then go for the restab. The only way you'll be able to restab correctly is if you do the motion correctly.

Now, for critiques on your form.
Your legs are bent pretty much the entire time. You want your legs straight, like totally straight from the beginning to the end. To help you with this, you should start with your legs even further apart when you are in handglide position. Really swing those legs to get you onto your restab. You're only rolling right now. You want to swing AND roll. Focus on the swinging motion. Keep your legs straight.

Your hips should never touch the ground. Don't leg them touch the ground. If you let them touch the ground, you have failed your mills. Keep your legs high when they are behind you and high when they are in front of you.

Pertaining to your collapse. Your collapse is very smooth but you are rolling to your back and all the way down to your hip. Make sure when you're collapsing that you roll onto your right shoulder. You want to roll from shoulder to shoulder.

Newest · 03-05-2008, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiSenNen

Haha, I used to do this EXACT motion. Very few people do it. It happens to people who don't understand the windmill motion very well. I'll try to break it down for you.

Right now, you're not at all ready for the restab. You haven't been able to improve much from the previous video. You seem to skip everything and then go for the restab. The only way you'll be able to restab correctly is if you do the motion correctly.

Now, for critiques on your form.
Your legs are bent pretty much the entire time. You want your legs straight, like totally straight from the beginning to the end. To help you with this, you should start with your legs even further apart when you are in handglide position. Really swing those legs to get you onto your restab. You're only rolling right now. You want to swing AND roll. Focus on the swinging motion. Keep your legs straight.

Your hips should never touch the ground. Don't leg them touch the ground. If you let them touch the ground, you have failed your mills. Keep your legs high when they are behind you and high when they are in front of you.

Pertaining to your collapse. Your collapse is very smooth but you are rolling to your back and all the way down to your hip. Make sure when you're collapsing that you roll onto your right shoulder. You want to roll from shoulder to shoulder.

Thank you for the honest advice, and it's actually making sense to me now....
Before I continue, I'd like to make sure the swinging motion is correct. I've omitted the re-stab and taken a video of pure "swing", which looks much better (in my opinion). I kind of "dragged" the leg through the air. PS. Ignore the backspin, I'm working on the re-stab.

NiSenNen · 03-05-2008, 02:28 AM

You collapse looks better this time. Just to remind you, you need to travel from shoulder to shoulder when you windmill. You won't be doing that if you're backspinning.

I'd like to point your attention toward your legs. You're still bending them slightly, you want to keep them straight at all costs. But what is most problematic is your swinging path. Your right leg is swinging very high. You want to try to swing your foot so close to the ground, you are just glancing it. That doesn't mean you keep your hips low. You still want to keep your hips high, but swing your legs low.

Keep breaking your windmill down into small pieces that you can work with then put them back together.

Newest · 03-05-2008, 06:48 PM

Thanks for being paitent with my long but-I-still-haven't-got-it topic. I've ommited the backspin and tried a re-stab, but I don't quite understand it. I think what I'm doing is right, but when I look at it... well I think it's easier to show you the video. I'm fully aware that I'm not yet ready to start the re-stab, but I think it looks better than a backspin.

Newest · 03-08-2008, 07:07 PM

I've noticed something before people re-stab... they roll back onto their arms instead of staying on the back. Does anyone have a tutorial that explains this motion?

_-=FiRe=-_ · 03-08-2008, 07:39 PM

you have to swing both legs. after ur initial swing u gotta swing again while ur on ur back with ur left leg. the momentum you gather from ur initial swing isnt enough to propel you back into the restab. also you might wanna consider doing about a quarter/half of a handglide before collapsing to gain momentum

Fatalz · 03-08-2008, 07:46 PM

restabbing
well your supposed to be on your upper back for that
what your doing is practically starting to sit up

all you need to do is tuck your (left) arm into your chest and stab yourself (with your right arm)
your leg whipping should be making you roll over
keep your right arm stabbed on yourself as you put your right hand down
as you roll over your left arm, start pushing off with it to try to get back into starting position

Newest · 03-09-2008, 04:39 AM

Many, many, many thanks _-=FiRe=-_ and Fatalz. The concept finally sunk in after practicing momentum with a couch (When I get many windmills I'm seriously posting a tutorial on this stuff, approximately 6 months later :|)

Anyway, I've managed to NOT land on my hip for the windmill. The re-stab is ridiculously sloppy, so feel free to hate on me. But I still want just a small bit of constructive criticism on improving the re-stab. Thanks again for helping me get this far.

SliP · 03-09-2008, 06:39 AM

Not so good at explaining this in words, but ill try to help...

When you swing your legs, try not to think your legs have joints, this will help you lock your legs and help you swing them better, its important to also use your hips to swing.

After you collapse and you swing your right leg(which you should try to hit your own face with)you should bend your lower back (so your legs should be kinda close to your face) and have it curved this will help you roll shoulder to shoulder and be high on your upperback
I don't think you need to worry about restabbing yet.

Also, remember this is a power move, do this with force, make it feel like power.

Newest · 04-11-2008, 03:03 AM

It's been a while... but school is intense. Anyway, I've tried to keep my legs straight (bent them at beginning ahhh >_<) but the windmill is only slightly improved. Expect more videos to come, I won't stop until I master this move!!!!