High Kicks

[ryane3681]

I'm brand (White Belt) new to martial arts, and I'm learning about Shito-Ryu. I'm having a difficult time doing Side Kicks and Side Round Kicks.

My lower body isn't too flexible and feel as if that's working against me.

Is there a way that I can improve flexibility?

What can I do to improve these kicks?

Please Help!

Casper "The White Belt Student"

[neclos]

You can't get flexibility right away, unless you're naturally flexible. I find doing rising kicks to the front and side helps. Other people may have different methods. Just be patient. You'll get there eventually.

[ryane3681]

The side kick is the hardest for me to do. Front kicks I'v got down, it will only be a matter of time before I perfect them. Side rounds, are just going to need some practice. The side kicks (flexibilty) are real tough.

[Uechi Kid]

Keep working at it. Most of us had similar problems with those kicks at first. You will get better with Practice.

[P.A.L]

just don't over due , pulled muscles takes at least 2-3 weeks to heal.

[Jay]

practice you will get better

[1st KYU]

continue training at your dojo regularly...as you said your just starting...these kicks take time to do well.

[Why_Worry]

Eventually you will get mroe flexible, but you dont really need to kick very high to do some damage. Kicking low is really effective too unless in your style you have to kick high for other techniques.

[JusticeZero]

Gently stretch every day. The flexibility will come over time

Every day:

Do leg raises front side and back - lightly kick your leg up but don't try to push yourself 20x front, side with base foot forward, side w base foot pointing away, back looking at foot over shoulder. Use a wall to balance. Then slowly raise and extend foot out as high as you can get it and hold it up there for 30 seconds in all those directions. I also like to use the side of a wall to stretch, lie on your back, put feet againts the wall piked, then spread legs, also turn on your side for front splits - that way you can use the wall to hold your feet from going further when they reach their stretched limit instead of having to use the muscles that you're trying to relax to hold you up.

[unknownstyle]

have someone help you while you are stretching, have them bring out your legs farther and that sort of thing