How to improve kicking

[RobertAslin2]

Howdy, y'all!

Some of y'all may know that I've been working on sandblasting the rust off after a hiatus. During that time some of my kicks have collected so much dust that I don't feel comfortable showing them off - my side kick and my tornado kick in particular.

Because I've also picked up kenpo I now have a tendancy to aim my front kicks to the groin or bladder, my side kicks to the knee or bladder, and have almost completely neglected my round kicks.

While training without a dojo, I've managed to get my front kicks to just about head-height, and my round kicks to high chest height, but my side kicks have still suffered, as well as my tornado kicks.

I recorded myself performing Might for Right, and about the only things I didn't like (seeing as it had been years since I first learned MFR) were those two kicks.

How do I improve, KF? Should I do the Jhoon Rhee daily dozen twice instead of once?

[singularity6]

Seems to me that if you had them down at one point, you should be able to get them back with practice. I recommend that you work on some basic drills and exercises, and work your way up! No sense straining anything.

[bushido_man96]

To get your kicks higher, you need to make the muscles stronger and flexible. The strength part can be done doing kicks using a chair or wall for balance, and doing the kicks slowly, with a five second count out, a lockout and hold, and then a five second count back. Also, don't underestimate the benefits of doing barbell squats, either.

If you keep working on the techniques and stretching, then the height of your kicks should start coming back up.

[singularity6]

I've been doing leg lifts in 4 different directions (recommended by my physical therapist.) Just 20'ish a day in each direction 3 or 4 days a week has helped A LOT!

[Alan Armstrong]

Bill Wallace will get you back in to great kicking shape. Here is one of many to get you going again.

[OneKickWonder]

Hi. My kicks suffered badly after a foot injury. Even after I resumed training, it's taken me months to start getting them back. It's not through lack of flexibility or strength of the big muscles that we all focus on. It took me a while to realise, it's because my feet became weak. After my injury, without realising, I was compensating with how I loaded my feet. Consequently they went weak because all the little often neglected muscles were not doing much. Since realising this, I've been doing strength exercises every day specifically focusing on the muscles that support the arches, the muscles that operate the toes, and everything around my ankles. Slowly my feet are starting to respond better, and my stability and accuracy is coming back.

[sensei8]

To get your kicks higher, you need to make the muscles stronger and flexible. The strength part can be done doing kicks using a chair or wall for balance, and doing the kicks slowly, with a five second count out, a lockout and hold, and then a five second count back. Also, don't underestimate the benefits of doing barbell squats, either.

If you keep working on the techniques and stretching, then the height of your kicks should start coming back up.

I wholeheartedly agree with this!!

[sensei8]

Bill Wallace will get you back in to great kicking shape. Here is one of many to get you going again.

I like this too!!