4 way kicking

[hapkido princess]

hi everyone. I'm getting ready to start my new set and it's 4 way kicking and 4 way striking. I was hoping you guys might have some advice for me. Anything to keep in mind, or make sure I pay attention to. Kicking is my weak point so ANY advice for them would be helpful..

Thanks,

Amy

[Rateh]

Which kick(s) does it involve?

[bushido_man96]

Can you give us some more information on what you have to do here? That would help us. Also, talk with your instructor, and see what advise he would give you as well.

[hapkido princess]

I started practicing my kicks today. They are kind of hard to describe. There are 14 different "combos" and each one has different directions to follow. I'll try to describe the few I did today..

First every kick has directions like a clock face.(so 12=12o'clock and so on and we ALWAYS start facing 12)

the first was snap kick to a side kick. 12 right snap kick(no putting foot down) to 3 right side kick. leg down then snap kick left to 12 then (no putting foot down) 9 left side kick.

Snap kick to roundhouse- 12 right snap, leg down to a left leg roundhouse at 3. then a right snap at 6 leg down to a left leg roundhouse at 9.

low high side kick- right leg low side to 3, leg down. then left leg side kick to 9. then without putting my foot down pivot to do a low side with my left at 3. then leg down and a side kick at 9 with right.

low high roundhouse- low rh right leg at 3 carrying that kick though to a high rh at 12. then a low rh left leg at 6 carrying that kick though to a high rh 9.

side kick-hook kick- right leg side kick at 12. step to a left leg hook at 6. step to a right leg side at 3 step to a hook at 9.(I'm playing with the stepping on this one, hook kicks give me trouble.)

My instructor said to play with how I need to step, I have long legs, and make it my own. As I try the other kicks I'll describe them.

[bushido_man96]

Ah, that makes some sense. It sounds kind of fun to me! Make sure you complete each kick, and don't hurry into the next kick at the expense of the first.

As for stepping, experiment with setting the kicking foot down next to the base foot, or crossing it over the base foot. On the hook kicks, it may be easiest to cross behind the base leg.

Otherwise, if you have some questions, just ask away!