Problems with the roundhouse kick

[CrimsonPhoenix]

I'm having issues with the ball of the foot roundhouse kick. The instep kick is not a problem for me, nor is the setup. My issue is with getting the toes pulled back far enough so that I can hit with the ball of the foot.

The kick isn't new to me. I've had both roundhouse kicks in my arsenal for several years, but we've never really spent much time on the ball of the foot roundhouse kick in class.

This issue came up when I tried three times to break a single board and nearly broke my toes instead. Since then, one of my instructors has been working with me on the kick and he told me that part of the problem is the flexibility in my foot. He checked to see how far I could pull my toes back and told me to pull them back more. I couldn't. He pulled my toes back for me to where they needed to be, but I can't keep them there. He told me I have the stiffest toes he's ever seen.

Trying to get better at this kick is driving me crazy and frustrating me to no end. Every time I practice this kick on my own on the heavy bag, I seem to hit with the toes. I need advise as to what I can do to get better form and flexibility.

[bushido_man96]

The heavy bag can be rough on toes with the round kick. When I break boards with the ball of the foot round kick, I have to set up at about a 45 degree angle to the board. Otherwise, I'll kill my toes, too. You can get a feel for the angle you will need by using a wall. Don't kick the wall, but just get your foot into its striking position, put on the wall like you finished the technique and struck a board, and find the right body angle from the wall. That will be your finish point, then back track to the start position. See if that helps out.

I hope that doesn't sound too confusing to you.

[Jay]

There is also a stretch you can do alongside bushido mans suggestions. Similar to what he said find a wall but sit on a chair in front of the wall, now push your balls of your feet against the wall, push into the wall with your toes and then relax. Do this a few times maybe 4 or 5. It should help you. You should feel the stretch in the middle of your foot btw.

[Kuma]

I second Jay's recommendation, that's a good stretch and it works well.

[Sokusen]

Maybe your feet are trying to tell you to do a sokusen

[bushido_man96]

There is also a stretch you can do alongside bushido mans suggestions. Similar to what he said find a wall but sit on a chair in front of the wall, now push your balls of your feet against the wall, push into the wall with your toes and then relax. Do this a few times maybe 4 or 5. It should help you. You should feel the stretch in the middle of your foot btw.

I hadn't heard of that before. I didn't realize the toes were an area that could be stretched like that. I will give it a try.

Maybe your feet are trying to tell you to do a sokusen:)

Ugh, I can't imagine that. You're one tough cookie!

[Jay]

There is also a stretch you can do alongside bushido mans suggestions. Similar to what he said find a wall but sit on a chair in front of the wall, now push your balls of your feet against the wall, push into the wall with your toes and then relax. Do this a few times maybe 4 or 5. It should help you. You should feel the stretch in the middle of your foot btw.

I hadn't heard of that before. I didn't realize the toes were an area that could be stretched like that. I will give it a try.

Maybe your feet are trying to tell you to do a sokusen:)

Ugh, I can't imagine that. You're one tough cookie!

You can but you have to go easy if not you can just use your hand to pull back your toes and push onto. Just see how it goes, I don't personally use it because I don't have that requirement its in one of the stretching books I have. If it hurts then don't do it as im sure everyone is sensible, stretching should be uncomfortable not painful.

[Kuma]

I've done that stretch before without too many problems, just go easy as Jay said. After you finish try practicing your front kick and roundhouse kick with the ball of the foot lightly on the wall and you'll see a big difference.

[CrimsonPhoenix]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I'm going to start working on those stretches and using a wall to check my angle.

I had to look up what "Sokusen" meant. All I have to say is.... ouch! I jammed one of my toes by kicking my instructor's knee the other day, and just the thought of kicking with the toes makes me wince.

[joesteph]

The heavy bag can be rough on toes with the round kick. When I break boards with the ball of the foot round kick, I have to set up at about a 45 degree angle to the board.

I have to do the same as Brian to strike with the ball of the foot. My last board breaks for promotion were roundhouses, and I had to be at that angle to do them.

I practiced as my teacher showed me, with several kick shields lying on the floor against the wall, and one kick shield standing vertically, on top of the lying ones and propped up against the wall. I got the angle right, could slam away as hard as I wanted without injuring myself, and eventually broke boards using the same angle and the ball of the foot.