Mamo-Chan

Thanks, all this has really helped out a lot. I've changed my movement, however, and it's more like a roundkick that hits with the heel than what I can see with a traditional sidekick. I still get tons of pushing power, although it's most likely wrong, but it works very well, and the toe thing works wonders. Thank you everybody.

I do ITF Taekwondo. I used to do it a long time ago in a gym, but now I do it in self-training. And actually the forms are very similar. Heian Nidan/Pinan Shodan are nearly micked by Won-Hyo. Taekwondo basically was a Korean style of Shotokan Karate with a roundkick designed for a steel-toed combat boot and it hasn't been until recently that the karate influences have become further and further obscured. I'm close to knowing all 9 of the hyung (patterns) for black-belt level and I still see very little difference in any of the movements. Anyway, my favorite kata's are Meikyo and Sochin. I'm just a puny white belt at my school, but the internet and kind teachers have provided me with these wonderful kata.

I'm having a lot of problems with my sidekick. When I do it normally, I'm always hitting with the ball of my foot. When I'm near a wall and chamber back a bit more, however, I can hit with my heel, but it takes a long time to do so. I can do every other kick quite well, but the sidekick just eludes me. Is there some stretch or exercise I can do that will push that heel out, or is there some other solution to this? I'm already quite flexible, I'm 5'7" and can get my heel above my head in a front kick, but I'm lacking form for the sidekick and need some strength for jumps.