Knee pain after front kicks/Zenku Sudachi

[kyk]

Hi everybody,

I am studying Karate Shotokan and am experiencing knee pain (in the leg which doesn´t kick, the one that holds you on the floor while you kick). I am afraid I am not doing the technique right, maybe I am bending the knee too much, or I may be missing something else.

I think I am missing the point regarding proper use of knees-legs-butt, because sometimes I also experience pain in the knees from any stance executed at a lower position (zenku sudachi for example).

Maybe all this is related to a little overweight and not-trained legs?

I am currently 40 years old and love Karate... I would like to practice for the rest of my life, so I really want to learn the proper techniques and patiently build the foundations so to avoid any potential injury.

Any advice, feedback and help will much be appreciated!

Kyk

[Ichi_Geki]

I would say work out more, walk a bit, stretch more and take it easy on that knee for a little bit. Or it could just be because its getting colder out too...I get that sometimes, im half your age.

[joesteph]

Are you turning the knee of your supporting leg enough, Kyk, so that there's not so much torque on it?

This YouTube video:

has a presenter who especially refers to the knees (and foot position) at 1:14+. The video's a bit dark there, compared with better lighting in other parts, but he makes up for video quality with what he says.

I know the best-claimed way to kick, say it's a roundhouse, is to turn the supporting leg/foot with the kick, but some people turn their supporting leg/foot a fraction of a second before they fire it off, and their knees thank them for it.

[RichardZ]

The old humor-joke;

"It hurts when I do this."

Response: "Well, don't do that."

Seriously, as always with any medical problem;

Seek a doctor.

[mr_obvious]

If it's bad -- see a doctor. If it's mild, take it easy for a couple weeks, alternate ice / heat and see if it clears on its own. If not, after a couple weeks -- see a doctor.

If you do the latter, you might try Ibuprofen for it's anti-inflammatory properties.

[kyk]

Hey guys thank you very much to all of you for the replies

Specially the elasticsteel guy reccomendation, fantastic techniques

Does anybody know of a link to a video for correct positioning of the supporting leg during FRONT kicks?

Of course the more emphasis on injury prevention the better

[bushido_man96]

For front kicks, I pivot the base foot anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees. And try to keep the base leg knee bent.

[kyk]

For front kicks, I pivot the base foot anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees. And try to keep the base leg knee bent.

 

BushidoMan96. how much do you bend the knee on the base leg?

[joesteph]

Does anybody know of a link to a video for correct positioning of the supporting leg during FRONT kicks?

If you go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQD9kf1xAhU

you'll see a fine Revolution of Kicking upload. At 3:22, it specifically homes in on the supporting leg.

[bushido_man96]

For front kicks, I pivot the base foot anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees. And try to keep the base leg knee bent.

 

BushidoMan96. how much do you bend the knee on the base leg?

Not much. I just try to make sure that it isn't locked out.