high kicks

[tkdan]

Yes physical limitations play a role. I believe sometimes we have mental limitations as well. I say this because there were times during sparring that I kicked much higher than I thought possible. The difference between sparring and kicking drills is my thinking. During kicking drills I'm asking myself (in my head) can I kick this high. During sparring I'm telling myself (in my head) I need to kick this high.

[pegasi]

Stretch kick (basically like axe kick w/o the pull down) is something that you can do to work on height too.

One thing that no one has commented on is with regards to pivoting. In order to get height in a side kick, you've also got to pivot the foot of the supporting leg so that you "open up" the hips the way they naturally go, which helps the height issue. Stretching and working on flexibility is part of it, but if you ignore correct body positioning, namely the supporting leg, you won't get the height or the power in the kick.

My instructor tells us all the time that pivoting is important in most of the tkd kicks, including roundhouse, back kick, rear leg side kick, among others. Pivoting of the supporting leg is what helps to make fast kick (front leg roundhouse), fast as well as have power in it.

Finally, pivoting is also important in preventing knee damage that can occur due to rotational torque on the knee of the supporting leg with a planted (non pivoting) foot.

[aigaios]

A good method for stretching side kick height (IMO) is holding onto a wall or bar, turning sideways, and starting gently, raising the leg to it's full extent sideways, then speeding up the motion gradually, so you end when you're throwing your leg up as hard and high as it can go. Make sure that the swinging leg remains straight. This isn't a great method to use if you want to be able to lock it out really high, but it will allow you to pop that kick up there. If you want to lock it out, use the isoflex method of slowly kicking out and holding, and then slowly bringing back. A combination of these two exercises has given me the ability to kick to roughly 6'2" and lock it for half a second. Hope this helps.

[Zorbasan]

for the life of me i cant work out why i spelt stretch streach. i remember looking at it thinking it didnt look right, but it look more correct than streech

ahaha

[Daze]

thanks guys

[tkdkid39]

i know this is a littel late but w/ roundhouses side kickes and axe kicks we have one person hold are leg and raise it up and up. dont know if that helps