Root:

Definition (paraphrased):One of the foot’s major functions is to… anchoring of the body to the ground, and supporting it…(paraphrased from Wikipedia) This should be the role of your feet after you lift your foot to engage in any pedaling technique; actively “Rooting” you into the ground, LOCKING the body into the floor. Much like the hands gripping the drumsticks, the feet need to grip the floor if we’re going to create optimal stability and generate minimum/maximin force through the footboard and into the pedals drive system during play.

  1. Showing the “front of the R100 Top-Plate
  2. Showing the “back of the arch of the foot” – This is where anyone, regardless of age, gender, playing style, playing technique or player ability will start out with their right and left feet placement when setting up their pedals behind their drum set or percussion instrument
  3. Showing where the back of the arch of foot in relation to the front of the arch off the foot is. 
  1. Foot in static position with the arrows showing how to achieve proper starting position

1. Both feet should be positioned on their respective pedals, i.e.., bass drum and hi-hat where the front portion of the R100 Top-Plate aligns with the back of the arch of the foot. This is where anyone, regardless of age, gender, playing style, playing technique or player ability will start out with their right and left feet placement when setting up their pedals behind their drum set or percussion instrument.   

2. Foot in the up (active) pedaling position 

2. Photo showing the drummers right foot (bass drum pedal foot) playing using the “Heel-Up technique. 
“ROOTING”  

When the players feet need to re-balance or “Root” the R100 Top-Plate provides a stable ground connection that is needed to press a pedal continuously with the foot while maintaining the musicians playing tempo and correct ergonomic foot, ankle, knee, hip, and lower back positioning.  This brief pause will naturally align you into a more powerful and sustainable foot position that will greatly increase and lengthen your ability to produce force or pedal. The improved alignment of your body also makes for safer practicing and playing in either a seated or standing position.

3. Foot in the down (active) pedaling position showing the foot “Rooting” through the R100 Top-Plate to the floor.

Notice where the foot naturally comes down to “Root” during play without interfering with the drummer or percussionist proper foot placement, pedaling style, balance, stability, comfort, tempo or playing sustainability.

4. Foot in the up (active) pedaling position showing that the foot does not move out of the proper starting position but “Released” after “Rooting” to the floor allowing the foot to continue to play maintaining proper lower body positioning (ergonomics).  

Notice after the foot naturally Roots, it automatically returns to the heel-up playing position allowing the foot to continue to play without altering the body’s natural or correct ergonomic body position and/or interfering with the style and tempo of play.