In the last two issues of The Breakaway Roping Journal, we discussed the breakaway roper’s grip in relation to control of the swing, as well as the elements of a successful swing in breakaway roping. If you missed either of chose articles, you can find them in the “Roping Tips” section of breakawayropingjournal.com, and you can watch videos demonstrating each on breakawayroping.com. In this issue, I want to talk about the delivery which, believe it or not, is actually the least complicated of these three elements.
THE CONCEPT
The delivery is a continuation of the swing. It’s so common in breakaway roping to see ropers deliver from the bottom of their swing. When you deliver from the bottom of the swing, your butt is out, your shoulders are forward and your core is not engaged. You’re not in an athletic stance.
THE POSITION
When you deliver your rope, you deliver it with your right hand and follow it with your left hand, all in an athletic position. That means, I want to be in my stirrups when l’m riding to the calf, on my feet. When I go to deliver the rope, I feel like my feet should push my upper body up, get my chest up and arch my back. lt should feel like throwing a ball or shooting a basketball.
THE TOP OF THE SWING
Refer back to my column last issue, where I laid our the four blades of the swing. Blade three is when my tip is behind me, with my elbow coming forward slightly, so my shoulder can roll backward and my hand can get slightly behind my shoulder even with my ear. The delivery comes from this point to the calf.
THE THROW
So when I deliver the rope, I’m on my feet, with an athletic stance, with my arms bent and momentum on my swing. When I deliver the rope, I feel the momentum come around and I deliver it to the target with both hands.
WANT MORE?
Use code LARIDEE15 for 15% off a subscription to Breakawayroping.com, where you can watch videos with Guy, Hope Thompson, Trevor Brazile and more ro up your game. Learn more at breakawayroping.com.
