prv4mastkik4

MASTERING THE KICK

Dear Martial Artist,

This newsletter is written in response to numerous questions that I have received about
the last newsletter. I firmly believe that before trying to kick high, it is necessary to learn
how to kick, period. I often get questions about a side kick. So let's talk about it. Most
people can manage to lift the leg to a line parallel to the floor. However, very few can keep
their trunk vertical.

Most people, especially the beginners drop the trunk, so the kicking leg and the spine
form almost a straight line. Speaking of the straight lines being desirable, this one we
don't want. How do we correct this culprit? There are a number of reasons for it and
depending on that a few ways to correct it.

Let's assume that the person has no injuries, severe inflammation of the joints and so on.

Here are the three top reasons for the lowering of the trunk.

1.Weak abductors on the kicking leg.
2.Weak extensors of the spine, obliques, and abdominals on the kicking side.
3.Rather inflexible extensor spine, obliques, and abdominals on the non-kicking side.

One needs to either figure out, which is the cause. Unless one wants to keep all bases
covered and take care of the all three issue at the same time.

To do that one needs to:

1.Strengthen the abductors.
2.Strengthen the muscles that flex the trunk laterally.
3.Stretch the muscles that flex the trunk laterally.

Many elasticsteel techniques are designed to combine these three into one technique.

Three phase approach is used.

•Phase one- Pre-operation; guides the body into the skill.
•Phase two-Operation; rehearsal of the skill.
•Phase three-Post-operation; rehearsal of the technique with the increased level of
difficulty.

The picture to the righ demonstrates phase three of the "side kick form" development. As
the side kick is slowly extended with the left leg, the muscles on the left side of the body
work to keep the trunk vertical. The elastic band, puts a lot more stress on those muscles,
causing them to work even harder. Once the bands are removed, the sidekick is thrown
effortlessly.

Once a right trunk position is established, then developing the height of the kick would be
a good progression.

I have noticed many instructors yell "higher, higher" during the training sessions. To me it
seems like it is the only way that they know how to increase kicking height. Unfortunately
the students end up tearing a muscle or leaning so far away from the kick that their hands
practically rest on the floor.

Having said all that, I hope that above information will be helpful in your quest for perfect
kicking techniques.

Great luck kicking!

PAUL