The act of quickly warming up specific muscles by stretching them in some way prior to execution.

Comment(s):

One way to understand Pre-stretch is that it is basically a quick activation of specific muscles in preparation to be used.

Pre-stretch is more closely associated with sparring and not combat; where one has the time to prepare.

Pre-stretch differs from stretching in that a Pre-stretch is for a much shorter period of time and has the intention of warming up the muscles rather than trying to improve the stretch of the muscle.

Example(s):

Raising the knee upward to the chest or quickly throwing random kicks demonstrate a Pre-stretch with the legs.

Rotating the spin in both directions (and potentially holding it for a moment) to loosen up the spine area demonstrates a Pre-stretch to the spine.

Rotating the shoulders back-and-forth, up-and- down, or in a circular pattern (potentially in both directions) or throwing a few random striking maneuvers demonstrate a Pre-stretch with the arms.

Related Definition(s):

Combat, Consideration, Freestyle, Move, Spar

Related Term(s):

Body Mechanics, Combat Effectiveness, Physical Preparedness, Physical Speed