Glossary of Terms
From Bockipedia
Every sport has its own vernacular, and bocking is no exception. The definitions on this page are categorised rather than being sorted alphabetically.
See also: List of Synonyms for oft-used words and phrases often heard outside the sport's fanbase.
Contents |
Stilt Components and Equipment
Beams
Noun, alternative name for the springs mounted on the back of the stilt framework. It helps to "not cross the beams" (see: [1]) lest you want to go Glossary of Terms#Grounding.
To walk without making the springs contact takes a fair amount of effort to get right, especially if your feet naturally point outwards rather than being parallel to each other.
Bindings
Noun, the Clips or Straps that hold your feet firmly against the [#Footplate]. Different models of bocks have different bindings or come with options for different bindings, for instance the 7Leagues bocks can come with Snowboard-derived bindings.
Bocks
Noun, an alternative and generic name for the stilts as opposed to the more commonly used genericalised trademark "powerisers"
Foot
Noun, see [#Hoof]
Footplate
Noun, a sturdy foot-shaped piece of hard plastic or metal where your foot rests. Often these are asymetrically shaped to match left and right feet differently. Your feet are held onto the plate by [#Bindings]
Hoof
The chunk of (often) rubberised material at the bottom of the bock which comes into regular contact with the ground (...when used properly, as opposed to your face). Since the rubber they're constructed with isn't always hard-wearing they will often need replacing. The life of a hoof can be extended with Tyre Socks
Techniques, Moves, and Epic-Fails
Bail
Verb, "to bail (out)". Related: Glossary of Terms#Grounding, but demonstrating extreme lack of style or control.
Bounding
Verb, to move on a pair of bocks with longer strides than running, comparable to jogging when on foot.
Bottoming Out
Verb, to transfer too much Kinetic Energy to Potential Energy stored in the spring such that the spring reaches full compression and your footplate hits the top of the bock's foot structure, often with painful consequences as the shock travels up through the unfortunate user's leg.
Car Jump
Noun; What people saw in bocking YouTube videos that made them take up the sport, realise they don't have what it takes* to do it, then leave their bocks at the back of their bedroom closet never to be seen again.
* Requires balls made of aluminium (not steel, they weigh too much)
Cartwheel
Noun; Not a real cartwheel since your hands don't touch the floor, but a jump-then-spin action around an axis perpendicular to your forward-facing torso. Typically results in dizziness.
Flip / Somersault
Verb; As with the Car Jump this move is graciously portrayed in videos around the Internets, yet the videos never cover the months of practice it takes to be able to perform the maneuver without cracking one's head open, breaking your neck, or just looking like a prat.
Giant Leap
Noun; Kicking one leg forward and the other back whilst in mid-air and being able to return them to their home positions before landing, smashing your kneecaps, and ending up with a severe groin injury.
Yoga
Noun; Being able to stand still on two bocks without any support or weight-shifting; so-called because this requires concentration skills rivaling Gautama Buddha... and telekinetic abilities.
People
Ground Support / Ground Control
Noun; Selfless volunteers vowed to assist any fallen bockers. Typically armed with water, WD-40 (for a bock's hinges), and high-power chainguns to ward off any encroaching chavs.
