Head High

Can anybody give me any tips on how to get loose? I especially want a fast and powerful head high roundhouse kick. Does anybody have any special strecths that they do to perform this? I know you have to strecth regularly and you can not spot strecth. I was just wondering if there was a way to acheive this Head High kick ASAP.

There is not many short cuts out there. Usually the only way to get something is to work for it. The only way or I guess I should say the best way IMO to build strength with you kicks is to kick a heavy bag. Kicking air and targets are great but for power you need to have the impact everytime. So my advice to you is just kick the bag over and over and over and over.

I agree with G95Champ, there are no shortcuts here. Daily stretching and practicing your technique are critical to pull this off. If you make this a goal and work for it everyday, you will get there soon. It may take a while so don't get discouraged. It may be a good idea to have someone like your instructor to watch your technique and offer advice.

Absolutely nothing can be done ASAP without risk of injury ... high kicks come with developing your flexibility and that comes in time with diligent stretching routines.

 

See http://www.karateforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1122&highlight=high+kicks

 

Also numerous posts here in H&F http://www.karateforums.com/forums/search.php?mode=results (go through these pages and look for thread concerning kicks and stretches)

 

and of course in Korean Forum (we TKD'ers really know the secret of kicking high!)

So do the Rockettes.

 

The only way I've ever heard of anyone getting FAST flexability is a friend of mine back in Texas. He does KSW now, after seeing me. However, he used to be a wrestler in high school. One day, someone got his legs into some sort of a "chicken wing" hold, and he ripped his groin muscles.

 

It took him a few months to recover, but he has been able to do the full splits ever since. I think I'll stick to the "slow" method.

Aww man, that story is scary enough to make a guy cross his legs for a while.

I believe you're referring to the "grapevine" or "split pea". OOOUUUCCCHH!

THAT'S IT!!!!!! Grapevine!

I have always been ablt to kick over my head - even when I was only a white belt in TKD. Now I can kick a good 6 inches over my head on a side kick - about a foot over on a round kick. I find it isn't very powerful up there, though. i like hitting rib level with the instep, which seems to generate the most power for me. Even though i can do these extremely high kicks I'm no where near a split, and I stretch a lot! Why is this?

That's okay, I'll go the slow route!!!!