power kicks

[fatehollow.ataraxia]

You need to know how to both kick explosively with full power and follow-through (snap from the hips, or full swing, or snap from the legs) and to kick at full power while controlling the trajectory and target. Practicing this range of motion and strength will train your body to react to different situations that you may encounter in sparring. At times one may face scenarios where, although one can see and register what an opponent may be doing in response to a kick, one's body just cannot adjust accordingly. Exploring the full abilities -- and limitations -- of one's kicks will help.

I've seen many people overswing on kicks; fantastic power and aim, but no control. Same goes for stopping short, which results in a weak kick. Heck, I've even tried over/underswinging on all types of kicks just to see what kind of counterattack comes my way -- it's quite amusing how off-balance it can put you.

[Sam]

one thing ot be careful of when attempting powerful kicks in when "snapping" the legs out, careful with your knee joint, you dont want to hyperextend it.

[drunken.master]

I prefer training with a moving heavy bag (swinging from a chain) as your target is also always moving. But, like others said, you have to mix it up with kick bags, hand targets and more.

The hand targets are another great way to keep your feet moving. Have another student slowly move his hands in random directions and try to place your foot in his palm as it moves. This can develop good speed and instincts (as you begin to learn how targets can move).

[Sam]

yeah.... its always funny to see people start out on that exercise and try to get people to move their hands randomly at full speed.... usually just end up colliding iwth their arm

[scad]

kicking pads is great for accuracy, but you need to be sure that you have enough control to follow through on the hit but not hyperextend your knee on the snap. so pads and weighted bags are great for trainging. though free kicking helps greatly with form and technique, a solid target is extremely benificial

[Sam]

yeah, like i always say a lot of powerful striking techniques need to be broken down into the speed section and a power section.... as with a lot of them practicing both can cause some nasty damage.