Improving my kicking power

[hazeleyes202]

I have just started Wado-Ryu Karate and was wondering, how do I make my kicks stronger/faster? (My left is stronger than my right)

[Evil Dave]

Welcome to KarateForums.

If your just starting out, stick with your Karate programming. You don't want to add too much too soon. Basically, practice your kicks and balance. Once your ready you will need to start some conditioning work in the gym. Look into the heavy lifts {squats, deadlifts, etc}, oly lifts {clean & jerk, snatch}, kettlebell work, plyometrics, etc. Please notice that I am moving you away from isolation exercises.

[Kuma]

At your level - practice the kicks as you learn them and get in the dojo as much as possible.

[Cobra_Kai]

To increase power and establish muscle memory, I highly suggest kick bands.

[JusticeZero]

Practice your kicks. Veeeeery veeeery slooowly. Paying close attention to proper form.

Do "Alphabets". Stand on one foot. With the other foot, start writing the alphabet in the air in front of you. "A B C D E F G...". Chamber between each letter. Don't put your foot down until you finish or you lose balance. Once you have that down, draw it with your toe on a wall in front of you that you will have to reach a bit for.

[Kuma]

To increase power and establish muscle memory, I highly suggest kick bands.

I would not use elastic bands until your form is darn near impeccable first.

[Harkon72]

For speed and power there is one key - to be as relaxed as possible; learn the technique well, then have total relaxation in the execution of it. Do a kick like you're listening to rock music before going out for the evening, just let it happen. You will be surprised at the result.

[sensei8]

Practice your kicks in the swimming pool; water is a natural resistant that will aide in giving you the power you desire because you'll be trying to move a lot of water, i.e. weight.

Still keep your focus and form solid!!

[Wastelander]

Well, my left kick is stronger than my right because I made it that way--I'm naturally right-sided, so it took some doing! The biggest key to fast, powerful kicks is having proper form--your sensei can help you with that, and then you can practice on your own (JZ's suggestion of slow motion kicks is great for this, as is Sensei8's suggestion of kicking underwater). After that, you'll need to do some serious impact training. Kicking pads will help you develop speed and accuracy, and kicking shields will help you start to develop power. From there, spend a lot of time on a heavy bag (at least 100lbs, in my opinion) to really get a feel for slamming a full-speed, full-power kick into a body-sized/weighted target. Jumping lunges and barbell squats have also helped me improve my power, but I've never bothered with resistance bands.

[Nevinyrral]

Also try to get as stretched and relaxed as possible. Its hard to make a good kich when you are all tensed up. And as with everything it all takes time, practie and experience.