Is kick pedal hitting shin or kick pedal hitting foot a problem for you? When your kick pedal hits your foot or shin, then maybe there is really something wrong with it or perhaps even you. With this setup, it can really be painful for you and can possibly cause injury in the long run if it continues; as much as possible, you should prevent it from happening again.
In this article, we are going to discuss the reasons why the kick pedal hitting foot or kick pedal hitting shin is happening to you while you are playing the drums.
Why A Kick Pedal Might Be Hitting Your Shin Or Foot
Is kick pedal hitting shin or kick pedal hitting foot a problem for you? Sometimes, drummers experience a problem where the kick pedal hits their shin or foot, causing discomfort and injury. There are several reasons why this might happen, and these are some of them:
Pedal Height Needs Correction
The first reason is that the height of the kick pedal may need to be corrected. If the pedal is too high, the drummer will have to raise their leg higher than necessary to engage the beater with the bass drum. This can cause the beater to hit the shin or the top of the foot instead of the bass drum. On the other hand, if the pedal is too low, the drummer will have to point their toes downwards, which can cause the beater to hit the bottom of the foot.
Beater Angle Needs Adjustment
The second reason on our list is maybe the angle of the beater needs to be set correctly. If the angle of the beater is too steep, it can cause the beater to hit the shin or the top of the foot instead of the bass drum. Conversely, if the angle is too shallow, the beater can hit the bottom of the foot.
Spring Tension Needs To Be Set Correctly
The next reason is the tension of the spring may be set incorrectly. The spring is responsible for returning the beater to its original position after it strikes the bass drum. If the tension of the spring is too loose, it can cause the beater to bounce back and hit the shin or the top of the foot. Conversely, if the tension is too tight, it can cause the beater to rebound and hit the bottom of the foot.
Foot Positioning Needs To Be Corrected
The fourth reason is maybe the position of the foot on the footboard may be incorrect. If the foot is too far forward on the footboard, it can cause the beater to hit the shin. If the foot is too far back on the footboard, it can cause the beater to hit the bottom of the foot.
Inappropriate Shoes
The fifth reason on our list is maybe the shoes worn by the drummer may be inappropriate. If the shoes are too thin or too soft, they may not provide enough protection from the impact of the beater. On the other hand, if the shoes are too heavy or too stiff, they may interfere with the drummer’s ability to control the pedal.
Slippery Or Stick Footboard
The next reason is that the surface of the footboard may be too slippery or too sticky. If the surface is too slippery, the drummer’s foot may slide off the footboard, causing the beater to hit the shin. If the surface is too sticky, the drummer’s foot may stick to the footboard, causing the beater to hit the bottom of the foot.
Improper Technique
The last on our list that can be the reason why your kick pedal is hitting your foot or shin is that the drummer’s technique may be incorrect. If the drummer uses too much or too little force, it can cause the beater to hit the shin or the bottom of the foot.
How To Fix A Kick Pedal Hitting Foot Problem
So, how to fix a kick pedal hitting foot problem or kick pedal hitting shin issue? Here are the steps that you should follow to prevent this from happening again:
Adjust The Height Of The Kick Pedal
As mentioned earlier, if the pedal is too high or too low, it can cause the beater to hit your foot or shin. To fix this, you should adjust the height of the pedal so that it aligns with the natural angle of your leg when your foot is resting on the footboard. This will allow you to engage the beater with the bass drum without having to raise your leg too high or point your toes downward.
Adjust The Angle Of The Beater
If the angle is too steep or too shallow, it can cause the beater to hit your foot or shin. With this setup, you should adjust the angle of the beater so that it strikes the bass drum directly and consistently. This will ensure that the force of the beater is directed toward the bass drum and not toward your foot or shin.
Adjust The Tension Of The Spring
The tension of the spring is responsible for returning the beater to its original position after it strikes the bass drum, and if the tension of the spring is too loose or too tight, it can cause the beater to hit your foot or shin. With this setup, you should adjust the tension of the spring so that it provides a smooth and consistent return for the beater.
Position Your Foot Correctly
Always position your foot in the center of the footboard so that the beater strikes the bass drum directly and consistently. If your foot is too far forward or too far back on the footboard, it can cause the beater to hit your foot or shin, which you should avoid to happen every time you play the drums.
Wear Appropriate Footwear
Always wear shoes that provide adequate protection and allow for comfortable and efficient movement. You should also avoid wearing shoes that are too thin or soft, as they may not offer enough protection from the impact of the beater. Avoid wearing shoes that are too heavy or stiff as well, as they may interfere with your ability to control the pedal.
Adjust The Surface Of The Footboard
When a kick pedal hitting shin is happening, you should adjust the footboard’s surface to provide a comfortable and secure grip for your foot. If the surface is too slippery or too sticky, it can cause your foot to slide off or stick to the footboard, resulting in the beater hitting your foot or shin.
Improve Your Drumming Technique
Lastly, when a kick pedal hitting foot happens, always make sure that you are using the proper technique when playing the bass drum. Avoid using too much force or too little force, as this can cause the beater to hit your foot or shin. Also, make sure you are using the proper motion when playing the bass drum, such as using your ankle instead of your entire leg.
So, is kick pedal hitting shin or kick pedal hitting foot a problem for you? If it is happening in your current setup, you should find the main reason why you are having this problem and follow the steps above on how to fix your kick pedal.
