More opinions on technique here When you throw a lead leg sidekick, do you bend your upper body backward, or keep it erect? Just curious how you guys do it, ive seen it done many different ways If you do bend back, about how far lol? thanks

it depends. I fight with my feet and hands. In order to follow up with my hands, I have my body erect when doing a side-kick. Having your body erect allows for your momentum to transfer efficiently when following up with a punch.

 

On some occasions, I lean back when doing a side-kick. When leaning back, your body is further away from your opponent. Thus, I lean back when I want to be defensive..I lean back just enough so that my body is in a safe range away from my opponent. Of course you don't want to lean back so that your head is 3 inches from the floor. LoL.... Hope that helps

If the side kick is used to "cut" or "stop" an attack, then i just keep my body erect.

 

If its a side kick to attack, i bent back a little because you have to use your hip.

It depends on the situation for me. I am flexible enough to kick to the head with a front or roundhouse kick, but the side kick I lean back a little. But if I just want to "stun" someone with a mid-level side kick, I will keep erect. If I want power, I make use of the "thrust" side kick or skip side kick (which I am leaning a little). I throw my hip into the "power" side kicks, the ones I learned in TSD ... you lean in and tork your shoulders as well as the hips, making your body like a "T". Very effective kick. I wish I could show you. I'm not very good at explaining, but if you saw it, you would know what I mean LOL.

I think I understand heh thanks for the replies. I as well throw them both ways depending on the circumstances, but I wasnt sure if leaning back really gave you any more power. Even when i stand erect i still torque my hips Anyhow, thanks alot guys

Oops. I should have used spell check. But you understood, Blade LOL. Thanks

A have a slight lean for normal situations and I also do the kick, on occasion, that Karatekid1975 explained.

i'd say lean back, u can create more power on kicks above the waist causing an action reaction, and it makes the opponent have to reach in to hit you.

 

u can also kick higher easier if u want toi'd say lean back, u can create more power on kicks above the waist causing an action reaction, and it makes the opponent have to reach in to hit you.

 

u can also kick higher easier if u want to

you genrall want to stay upright, because you can be pushed over if you lean back to much.

 

Also it is actually as powerful/ more powerful if you stay upright.

 

Not too good to use too often though - easy tostop and in genral doesn't hurt to much - very diffcult to hit with. Such a small surface area to hit and to hit with.