Do splits help kicking?

[repz]

I used to be able to do the front split an i was a few inches from the side. Im not even close now, but my kicks are still high.

I always thought that flexiablity builds power... like for example, a person who can kick OVER someones head as their maximum height, has more power when kicking to someones head ( below their maximum height ), then a guy whos maximum height is to the head, it kind of extends your power range.

[bushido_man96]

I always thought that flexiablity builds power... like for example, a person who can kick OVER someones head as their maximum height, has more power when kicking to someones head ( below their maximum height ), then a guy whos maximum height is to the head, it kind of extends your power range.

I think that kicking power is more a product of speed and mass than it is from flexibility. However, flexible muscles will typically be looser and more relaxed, which can help with speed. However, I don't think it is that determinant of a factor when it comes to power output.

[repz]

I always thought that flexiablity builds power... like for example, a person who can kick OVER someones head as their maximum height, has more power when kicking to someones head ( below their maximum height ), then a guy whos maximum height is to the head, it kind of extends your power range.

I think that kicking power is more a product of speed and mass than it is from flexibility. However, flexible muscles will typically be looser and more relaxed, which can help with speed. However, I don't think it is that determinant of a factor when it comes to power output.

Well... others would say proper form. Its a combination of a lot of things. But as my example, if i can kick over your head as my LIMIT, an your limit is barely the head.. obviously my kick compared to yours would be stronger at the head area. That same kicker who can barely kick to the head, would still struggle to get proper form to the neck area, where as the high kicker kicks even more powerful then the guy in my example.

Some people are so flexiable a kick to the neck area feels the same as someone with less flexiablity kicking to the stomach.

[YoungMan]

To a point. Being able to kick high is as much a result of relaxing your body and your mind as anything. In fact, years ago our GM brought in a practioner of another style who was also a professional gymnast. This guy could do cold splits no problem. However, when it came time to do high kicking, he could barely get his leg head high. The ability to do splits is only one factor in helping with kicking.

[repz]

To a point. Being able to kick high is as much a result of relaxing your body and your mind as anything. In fact, years ago our GM brought in a practioner of another style who was also a professional gymnast. This guy could do cold splits no problem. However, when it came time to do high kicking, he could barely get his leg head high. The ability to do splits is only one factor in helping with kicking.

True, i used to be a whole open hand away from a split, an another student did the whole split. An i kicked straight up an he couldnt. I still kick way above head level, an now im like really far off from the ground in splits, i mean really far off... the worst in the class, yet i kick higher then anyone.

[YoungMan]

What happened was that in the environment of pure stretching, such as warming up before practice, the gymnast/martial artist was in his element. However, when it came time to do basic kicking, his mind just couldn't make the changeover. You'd think a professional gymnast of all people would be able to high kick with ease, but it's not always the case.

[bushido_man96]

What happened was that in the environment of pure stretching, such as warming up before practice, the gymnast/martial artist was in his element. However, when it came time to do basic kicking, his mind just couldn't make the changeover. You'd think a professional gymnast of all people would be able to high kick with ease, but it's not always the case.

It is about adapting different muscles to different uses. Give them 3 months worth of training, and they would improve.

[bushido_man96]

I always thought that flexiablity builds power... like for example, a person who can kick OVER someones head as their maximum height, has more power when kicking to someones head ( below their maximum height ), then a guy whos maximum height is to the head, it kind of extends your power range.

I think that kicking power is more a product of speed and mass than it is from flexibility. However, flexible muscles will typically be looser and more relaxed, which can help with speed. However, I don't think it is that determinant of a factor when it comes to power output.

Well... others would say proper form. Its a combination of a lot of things. But as my example, if i can kick over your head as my LIMIT, an your limit is barely the head.. obviously my kick compared to yours would be stronger at the head area. That same kicker who can barely kick to the head, would still struggle to get proper form to the neck area, where as the high kicker kicks even more powerful then the guy in my example.

Some people are so flexiable a kick to the neck area feels the same as someone with less flexiablity kicking to the stomach.

I can see your point, but some of that comes down to how tall the person is. Someone who is 5'4" tall is going to have to kick higher to kick my head than someone who is 6'4" tall. The agles will be different.

[ps1]

I always thought that flexiablity builds power... like for example, a person who can kick OVER someones head as their maximum height, has more power when kicking to someones head ( below their maximum height ), then a guy whos maximum height is to the head, it kind of extends your power range.

I think that kicking power is more a product of speed and mass than it is from flexibility. However, flexible muscles will typically be looser and more relaxed, which can help with speed. However, I don't think it is that determinant of a factor when it comes to power output.

Well... others would say proper form. Its a combination of a lot of things. But as my example, if i can kick over your head as my LIMIT, an your limit is barely the head.. obviously my kick compared to yours would be stronger at the head area. That same kicker who can barely kick to the head, would still struggle to get proper form to the neck area, where as the high kicker kicks even more powerful then the guy in my example.

Some people are so flexiable a kick to the neck area feels the same as someone with less flexiablity kicking to the stomach.

I can see your point, but some of that comes down to how tall the person is. Someone who is 5'4" tall is going to have to kick higher to kick my head than someone who is 6'4" tall. The agles will be different.

Bushido is exactly correct. Power is certainly the product of speed and mass. Actually it's velocity and mass. The difference between velocity and speed is that velocity has a vector (direction) associated with it. Speed is just a number that says how fast something is traveling. That's where the angles (aka: proper technique) come in and why they are important.

Anyway, as Bushido also pointed out, the person who can easily kick higher is likely more relaxed through that movement. Therefore they will move more quickly through it (relaxed muscles move quicker than tense ones, which are actually done moving but that's another discussion). So you're both saying the same thing. Bushido has simply explained the physics behind why the more flexible person may be perceived as having more power in the kick. Hope this helps clarify a little.

As for the original post. I think being overly flexible is certainly great ( I happen to be very flexible and love it) but not necessary. Additionally, it's important (I think Bushido also mentioned this earlier) to have strength throughout that flexibility. Here's a good drill. Make sure to warm up good. Then pick a kick and kick as high and fast as you can. Be sure to mark where the kick came to. Now, slowly attempt to raise your leg to the same level. The level you can slowly raise your leg to is your actual strong and controlled kicking range. The rest is just show and should not be depended upon. The more you do this drill, the higher you'll be able to raise your leg and the better your kicks will become.

[bushido_man96]

Nice drill, ps1. Thanks for the props, too! (It makes me feel good to think that I actually know what I am talking about from time to time ).