Standing Stork Test - Blind

What's The Point?

In focusing on strength, speed, endurance and flexibility, many athletes ignore vital components, such as balance. Balance is a keyl component of agility, the ability to change direction at speed, but it is one that is often forgotten in training.

However, by improving your balance you can improve performance, and reduce the risk of injury. The Standing Stork Test blind is a simple way to assess this, but with an added twist your eyes will be closed. Closing your eyes makes balance much more difficult, and will thus ruthlessly expose any deficiencies in your balance.

What Do You Need?

• A flat, non-slip surface
   
• A stopwatch
   
• Paper and pencil
   
• An assistant

How Do You Do The Test?

• Remove your shoes
   
• Stand with hands your on your hips
   
• Place the sole of the non-standing foot against the inside knee of the other leg
   
• Raise your heel from the floor so you are balancing on the ball of your foot
   
• Close your eyes
   
• Have your assistant start the stopwatch as soon as your heel is off the floor

If at any point your hands come off your hips, your foot begins to twist in any direction, or the non-supporting foot loses contact with the knee, the test is stopped.

What Results You'll See

Perform the test three times, and record your best time. You can compare your results with the chart below:

What's Being Measured Again?

This is an excellent way to measure your balance with your eyes are closed.