Splits

The Passion · 07-28-2006, 01:57 AM

So I was just watching Bloodsport the other day and winced at the part where Jean Claude Van Dame did the splits to avoid his opponent's attack and then punched him in the balls... I beleive they ripped off this scene in Mortal Kombat where Johnny Cage hits Gorro in the balls...but then I remembered how easy it was to do the splits when I was around 6 to 8. Anyway, my questions is, can most people keep or regain that much flexibility with enough stretch work, or is it something that is genetically/anatomically lost with age despite any amount of effort to maintain it?

elvis 78 · 07-28-2006, 01:59 AM

I think if you did it evreyday you could do it forever

The Passion · 07-28-2006, 02:09 AM

Hmm...thanks for the effort, but does anyone know?

ryun253 · 07-28-2006, 02:22 AM

get in the splits motion and have 2 friends wishbone you or push you down by your shoulders

The Passion · 07-28-2006, 02:41 AM

Alright, don't mean to attack anyone, but the past two responses: 1st-Shows no real thought, and the 2nd-Dangerous and absurd.

Does anyone with any creddibility and a serious response know if I can go from getting my groin from a minimum of about 2ft to the ground to at or close to the ground with enough stretching? If there's an actual and safe way to get as limber as I was back in the day, then I am willing to do a lot of stretching, but if I'm probably at my maximum flexibility allowed by my genetics, then I don't see the point of a lot of painful stretching long term for no real pay-off. Any helpful responses? Thanks

elvis 78 · 07-28-2006, 02:49 AM

Sorry dude next time I'll get a doctors note so I can give a dead on answer to your question

The Passion · 07-28-2006, 03:10 AM

Well I had no intention of attacking you at first, but since you're going to be a smart ass...

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvis 78

I think if you did it evreyday you could do it forever

This sounds like some piece of shit that your 3rd grade teacher spat out her hole about trying your best...maybe if you try hard enough, believe in yourself, and give it your all, you could pull your head out of your ass.

I asked a serious question hoping for some kind of factually based response and you gave me some crap answer from a Disney movie. Would someone who genuinely wants to add to others' knowledge rather than increasing their post count care to reply to my original question? Thanks

Dog Fan · 07-28-2006, 03:52 AM

I think there's some good instruction videos by Pavel. That's the first place I would look if I were you. Best of luck.

The Passion · 07-28-2006, 04:21 AM

Thank you. That is the type of response I was looking for.

**SmashiusClay** · 07-28-2006, 06:19 AM

'Stretching scientifically' by Thomas Kurz is probably the best book on the subject, it's a comprehensive guide to not only the techniques of stretching but also their science and place within a training routine. you can get it just about anywhere and I'm fairly sure amazon has it.

Kurz says that it generally takes a few months of training with his methods to attain the splits nuless you have an underlying medical condition or injury. I followed his methods about 5 years back when I first got the book and was able to achieve a front split after a few months, i then got my knee injured palying rugby and have never bothered to go back to that extreme a level of flexibility (IMO its unnecessary for most martial artists to get anywhere near that level unless you want to show off).