WAG Flat feet and proper punching?

[Kcanflip]

Has anybody ever had a kid with flat feet that just could not do a proper punch? Are the flat feet the problem or just a contributing factor? My daughter is struggling with her punch front and also has always had a hard time punching properly for vault and just curious.

 

[Muddlethru]

I've tried to research your question in the past because my daughter is also flat footed. I feel she lacks a "spring" in her step. Some girls just seem to bounce off quite easily and high. I never found an answer to this question or how flat feet affects tumbling, punching etc. I think perhaps it does affect it a bit but there are several elite gymnasts who have flat feet and it has not affected them. So perhaps good training and technique is vital. My daughter is a second year level 10 right now. I feel her flat feet somewhat requires more effort on her part to tumble or punch, but she is able to do all the skills thrown her way. I feel the biggest concern of flat feet is injuries. Flat feet can affect the proper alignment of the body and can cause knee pain/injuries, hips and back. I also noticed my daughter's feet seems more flat than it was.

 

[gymjunkie]

There are plenty of girls with good arches who also incorrectly punch off of their whole foot, so I'd call it a contributing factor.

 

[Kcanflip]

Must have been contributing. Something clicked with her punch last night and she got her punch front and it looked good! She's older and pretty strong so I knew it was not a strength thing. Hopefully this ah ha moment in regards to how she punches will translate to a better vault as well.