Should instructors teach what the student wants to learn?

[bushido_man96]

I wonder how many of us who weren't good kickers, or were not considered good kickers, in the past would be fine nowadays because of this to-the-thigh roundhouse?

Being a good kicker isn't about high kicking. Its about being tactically sound with your kicking, and using good technique and power when you do it.

[DWx]

I wonder how many of us who weren't good kickers, or were not considered good kickers, in the past would be fine nowadays because of this to-the-thigh roundhouse?

Being a good kicker isn't about high kicking. Its about being tactically sound with your kicking, and using good technique and power when you do it.

Yep no point in kicking to the head if it doesn't do anything. Better a solid kick to the leg than a tap to the head.

[joesteph]

Being a good kicker isn't about high kicking. Its about being tactically sound with your kicking, and using good technique and power when you do it.

Yep no point in kicking to the head if it doesn't do anything. Better a solid kick to the leg than a tap to the head.

I agree but I may not have been clear.

With my height at 5'6", and the fact that fairly heavy weight-training did not help my flexibility, sparring with others and even doing non-contact above my opponent's belt was and remains a challenge. Past and present, I could/can really only do it with a front kick; roundhouses and side kicks remain below the belt, higher now because of stretching exercises, but still below it, and yet acceptable in sparring nowadays if to the thigh.

Striking a WaveMaster set for my own height, or against a kick shield, the power kicks I can give when doing roundhouses and side kicks are low ones. Forcing myself to go higher really does result in mere taps. When I experiment at home with a Muay Thai-type 45 degree angle roundhouse, I can strike the same height as my ribs with a lot of power.

Again, though, how tall is my opponent?

[bushido_man96]

I see what you are saying, Joe, but I still stand by what I stated. However, I see that you are vexed by the rules you have to spar with, and therefore mean kicking good within those parameters.

I would not say that heavy lifting with your legs decreased your flexibility; improper stretching exercises (those not conducive to kicking) would have contributed to your flexibility.

What I mean to say is that being a good kicker can translate to more than just a sparring medium. I truly think that you can be a good kicker, even if it is only in the self-defense realm of low-line kicking.

[Tiger1962]

.......I truly think that you can be a good kicker, even if it is only in the self-defense realm of low-line kicking.

What a coincidence ! I have heard my instructor say this many times. That being able to kick HIGH doesn't mean you are a great kicker. It just means you can kick high. There are people who can kick high, but it's not a "great kick" if you know what I mean. Then there are people who can only kick low, yet their kicks are beautifully executed and effective against their opponent.

Quality not height (or something to that effect)

[white owl]

.......I truly think that you can be a good kicker, even if it is only in the self-defense realm of low-line kicking.

What a coincidence ! I have heard my instructor say this many times. That being able to kick HIGH doesn't mean you are a great kicker. It just means you can kick high. There are people who can kick high, but it's not a "great kick" if you know what I mean. Then there are people who can only kick low, yet their kicks are beautifully executed and effective against their opponent.

Quality not height (or something to that effect)

This is so funny we were discussing this last night in class about the heighth of kicks in a self defense situation. and I agree with you it is not the heighth of your kicks, it is about proper technique and the effectiveness against your opponent.

[Wa-No-Michi]

.......I truly think that you can be a good kicker, even if it is only in the self-defense realm of low-line kicking.

What a coincidence ! I have heard my instructor say this many times. That being able to kick HIGH doesn't mean you are a great kicker. It just means you can kick high. There are people who can kick high, but it's not a "great kick" if you know what I mean. Then there are people who can only kick low, yet their kicks are beautifully executed and effective against their opponent.

Quality not height (or something to that effect)

This is so funny we were discussing this last night in class about the heighth of kicks in a self defense situation. and I agree with you it is not the heighth of your kicks, it is about proper technique and the effectiveness against your opponent.

If you think about it, how many "traditional" Katas are there with high kicks? Very few, if any.

[white owl]

If you think about it, how many "traditional" Katas are there with high kicks? Very few, if any.

I do not know of any at this time in my training and what I have read so far.

For tournaments my Sensei has me throw my kicks high because they "look better" and to be able to compete with competitors that do not do traditional katas.

[bushido_man96]

If you think about it, how many "traditional" Katas are there with high kicks? Very few, if any.

I do not know of any at this time in my training and what I have read so far.

For tournaments my Sensei has me throw my kicks high because they "look better" and to be able to compete with competitors that do not do traditional katas.

I agree. Not many did. More do now, but just because a kick is thrown high in a kata performance, doesn't mean that it can't be done lower, in application.