Balance.

[traz]

I've heard that advice alot, to do the kicks properly and slowly. However, when I kick slow, my flexibility is much worse. So when I'm practicing slowly, I can only really kick a little above waist height...but if I kick with full power, I can kick well above that, at head level easily.

Basically, I'm wondering why I don't have the same flexibility when I kick slow, if this something I should worry about, and how I might change that, so when I do slow kicks I have good flexibility as well?

Thanks guys

[Kicks]

traz,

Good question. There are three types of flexibility:

Dynamic flexibility (also called kinetic flexibility) is the ability to perform dynamic (or kinetic) movements of the muscles to bring a limb through its full range of motion in the joints. Dynamic stretching involves moving parts of your body and gradually increasing reach, speed of movement, or both. Dynamic stretching consists of controlled leg and arm swings that take you to the limits of your range of motion. Dynamic stretching improves dynamic flexibility and is quite useful as part of your warm-up for an active martial-arts class. Fast kicks are an example of dynamic activity.

Static-active flexibility (also called active flexibility) is the ability to assume and maintain extended positions using only the tension of the agonists and synergists while the antagonists are being stretched. For example, lifting the leg and keeping it high without any external support (other than from your own leg muscles). Active stretching increases active flexibility and strengthens the agonistic muscles. Active stretches are usually quite difficult to hold and maintain for more than 10 seconds and rarely need to be held any longer than 15 seconds.

Static-passive flexibility (also called passive flexibility) is the ability to assume extended positions and then maintain them using only your weight, the support of your limbs, or some other apparatus such as a chair or a barre. Note that the ability to maintain the position does not come solely from your muscles, as it does with static-active flexibility. Being able to perform the splits is an example of static-passive flexibility.

Research has shown that active flexibility is more closely related to the level of sports achievement than is passive flexibility. Active flexibility is harder to develop than passive flexibility (which is what most people think of as "flexibility"); not only does active flexibility require passive flexibility in order to assume an initial extended position, it also requires muscle strength to be able to hold and maintain that position.

When you do slow kicks you are doing a static-active exercise. When you are kicking with faster movement you are doing a dynamic flexibility movement. Your momentum is moving the weight of your leg through the full range of movement.

As I practiced the slow kick exercise I was eventually able to lift my leg higher and higher as I developed balance, strength (muscle and core), and flexibility. Then when I would do my fast (full power) kicks I was kicking higher than ever before. And people noticed! They also started asking me where all my power was coming from all of a sudden.

http://www.cmcrossroads.com/bradapp/docs/rec/stretching/stretching_1.html

Edited April 7, 2005 by Kicks

[greenbelt_girl15]

Here's a simple balence exercize

Begin from a standing position and cross one foot behind the other, then slowly rise up on your tip-toes.(if your doing it right only one foot will be on the ground)hold for a count of ten and then switch feet.

Good luck!

[cathal]

That'd work the leg muscles.

[greenbelt_girl15]

Yah, thats realy what it's supposed to do but when I tried it I found that it was very useful for ballence also.

[vertigo]

I've heard that advice alot, to do the kicks properly and slowly. However, when I kick slow, my flexibility is much worse. So when I'm practicing slowly, I can only really kick a little above waist height...but if I kick with full power, I can kick well above that, at head level easily.

Basically, I'm wondering why I don't have the same flexibility when I kick slow, if this something I should worry about, and how I might change that, so when I do slow kicks I have good flexibility as well?

Thanks guys

I end up doing the same thing. My balance does improve after slowly working my kicks (it forces me to focus on my muscle connections to keep myself balanced). However, my kicks are really low when I do this also. I doubt it's something to worry about (at least I don't )

Thanks for the information, Kicks...

[dtstiachi]

Strong legs will help improve balance. Work on stregthening your legs.

[ovine king]

i always say; check your hips.

[aefibird]

Good info - thanks Kicks!

[scottnshelly]

Get two cinder blocks and set them about shoulder width apart. Then stand on them, one foot per cinder block. Practice doing your kicks slowly from up there. The only real difference is now you're elevated so you know if you get off balance and will quickly correct it. After a while you can move them around or even stand them on end to make a smaller standing place.

This exercise will also help you with bringing your kicking leg back to the same place.

Also, try hopping around on one foot.

Experience and practice are the biggest factors of balance though.

good luck.