Side kicks and supporting legs

[JJJon]

When you do a side kick (say with the right leg) should the left, supporting leg be locked at the time of impact of the right heel, or should the left leg stay a bit bent and soft?

[DWx]

Personally I say locked out so you can drive the kick with the base leg. Bent and soft means you can be driven backwards if your kick isn't strong enough.

[StrangeBacon]

Depends on the situation, some katas keep the leg bent due to the stance its fired from, but just the kick alone i'd say keep the supporting leg locked as its a much stronger position in terms of force transferance

[sensei8]

Basically, within the Shindokan, we're taught to NOT lock the supporting leg because the supporting leg acts like a shock-absorber, as well as, a locked supporting leg can be injured more easily than having the supporting leg slightly bent.

[sensei8]

Personally I say locked out so you can drive the kick with the base leg. Bent and soft means you can be driven backwards if your kick isn't strong enough.

If?!? Penetration is important especially with a bent supporting leg. However, you're, imho, right on the money when you say your kick MUST be strong. That comes with knowledge and knowledge comes with experience. I can drive my kicks with the base leg slightly bent supporting leg not because I'm of a big stature, no, but, because of my knowledge/experience.

Again, solid post DWx...solid post!

[JJJon]

Penetration is important especially with a bent supporting leg.

So, is it better to have a soft, supporting leg? And why is it better? And a finally question , is it worse but easier to kick with a locked, supporting leg, and why?

[bushido_man96]

The leg should not be locked, but slightly bent. Not severly bent, but along the same lines of the degree of a lock you do on most punches, kicks, etc. Nothing should completely lock; this is too hard on the joints. But, nothing should be bent so severly that it should be very noticible.

[Dobie1979]

The leg should not be locked, but slightly bent. Not severly bent, but along the same lines of the degree of a lock you do on most punches, kicks, etc. Nothing should completely lock; this is too hard on the joints. But, nothing should be bent so severly that it should be very noticible.

Well said. This is a very good explaination.

I've been taught that it is slightly bent with your toes trying to grip the ground. I've tried this with even shoes on and I feel more stable. That is my two cents worth.

[sensei8]

Penetration is important especially with a bent supporting leg.

So, is it better to have a soft, supporting leg? And why is it better? And a finally question , is it worse but easier to kick with a locked, supporting leg, and why?

Imho, it's better to have a 'soft' supporting leg because of the reasons I stated in my first post. As to your second question, I've no experience with a locked supporting leg while kicking.

[sensei8]

The leg should not be locked, but slightly bent. Not severly bent, but along the same lines of the degree of a lock you do on most punches, kicks, etc. Nothing should completely lock; this is too hard on the joints. But, nothing should be bent so severly that it should be very noticible.

Well said. This is a very good explaination.

I've been taught that it is slightly bent with your toes trying to grip the ground. I've tried this with even shoes on and I feel more stable. That is my two cents worth.

Toes gripping the ground...YES!!