Side kick problems.

[Ottman]

Well it seems like you're on the way to fixing your problem by your last post, but I see this a lot with lower belt students who are trying to break boards with side kicks, even at low heights. Their problem is not one of strength or flexibility, but improper technique. As others have said, making sure that your grounded foot pivots so that the toes are facing 180 degrees away from your target is very important to proper side kick technique, especially when trying to kick above belly height. Also, make sure your toes on the kicking foot are pointed down and are below the ankle. This will force you to use the edge of your foot, which will in turn, force you to extend in order to execute the kick with any type of force. A good exercise that really helped me develop proper side kick technique is to walk around on the edges of my feet with my feet turned so that my toes are facing inward (towards each other), emulating the proper foot and leg position for side kick. Then, as with anything, it's all about practice. I do suggest that you practice with a target as much as possible until you really get those higher kicks down, then forms and 'air kicking' will come more naturally.

 

Good Training!

[Sam]

Just two things - when going above the horizontal with a side kick there is a slight difference in flexibility necessary to achieve a full extension and that required for either of the splits. During the splits (box splits - side on) the legs are exactly parallel: this is not true of the side kick it may be that your hip is simplyfreezing up at the end of the kick - this wont hurt but will simply stop your leg going much further - practice overcomes this....

 

One other thing the hardest high kick is probably a twist kick (bituro chagi) rather than the side kick which is relatively simply but just requires a different flexibilty than the turning or front kick (a reverse axe kick coming over the shoulder would also be difficult).

[krzychicano]

Well I dont get all technical in my explanations like most people, not to say that it's wrong but I just try to go straight to the point. I am a few months old into my martial art and it is my first and I am still having problems, but they are getting better and what has been working for me is proper technique and stretching. I execute the kick very slowly focusing on positioning the parts of my body at the proper spots and ofcourse I stretch alot at home or whenever I get a chance to. My sidekicks have gone from just below the waist to right below the chest. Don't know if this will work for you but just my 2 cents..

[aefibird]

Also, make sure your toes on the kicking foot are pointed down and are below the ankle. This will force you to use the edge of your foot, which will in turn, force you to extend in order to execute the kick with any type of force. A good exercise that really helped me develop proper side kick technique is to walk around on the edges of my feet with my feet turned so that my toes are facing inward (towards each other), emulating the proper foot and leg position for side kick.

 

Good tip, thanks! I'll have to try that. Kicking above waist height with a side kick is my weakest area and one that I'm really looking to improve on in 2005.

[danieldc]

Searcher, try this:

 

Remember a catapult or a tremuchee.

 

Try it wht an Ap Shagi. Put yuor knee up as fast as u can and as hi as u can, then let go the rest of the leg. Then try wt a bandal and a dollio the same way.

 

Remember roll the hips

[TomBolton]

You should try to do some strengthening excercises for your hip flexors. This will take the strain off of your groin and back and allow easy comfortable motion.

 

I would recommend starting on the floor laying on your side supported on your elbow. Slowly do tension side kicks; out 5 seconds as high as you can, then hold it at full extension (or as far as you can get) until you feel a burn in your hip then release and re chamber 5 seconds. Repeat this enough times that you start to fatigue a bit and it gets pretty hard. Do this on both sides.

 

After doing this for a period of time on a regular basis, and it starts to get easy, move to standing up holding onto a wall and doing the same procedure with a full standing side kick (slow motion, just like on the floor) hold out for 5-10 seconds, and rechamber. This will help you strengthen and also pinpoint any problems with technique you may have.

 

It works wonders. Hip flexors are sometimes neglected but are very important to good side kick technique. Try it out. It might fix your problem.

 

-Tom