Stretching for kicking

[1commander]

I hope this isn't in the wrong forum, but I am concerned with stretching to increase kicking ability. I primarily want to improve the height I can get on standard kicks, but also my speed, and kicking ability in general. Can someone give me some suggestions or link me to a few resources on the topic? (Preferably with pics. I have also seen the trick tutorial in the FAQ but am looking for ways to maximize leg stretches - or excercises in general - for kicking.)

Thanks.

[Standard]

There should be alot of material if you search the forum for stretching of flexibility? are you sure that your issue is not with form though, it's more often the case that the height of someones kick is limited by their form and not by their flexibility.

[MikeMartial]

Originally Posted by 1commander

I have also seen the trick tutorial in the FAQ but am looking for ways to maximize leg stretches - or excercises in general - for kicking.)

Thanks.

If you've gone to the Tricks Tutorial website, then you have everything to need to work on flexibility---and he even includes downloadable video of the dynamic stretching.

That section on flexibility is probably thee best online I have yet to find. Read it---again and again.

[Snake_p20]

The guy in that tutorial is ungodly flexible but it is a good tutorial to read, thanks.

[1commander]

Originally Posted by Standard

There should be alot of material if you search the forum for stretching of flexibility? are you sure that your issue is not with form though, it's more often the case that the height of someones kick is limited by their form and not by their flexibility.

Maybe my question would be of form over flexibility. However, I found that the tricks site is about general flexibility. I am not concerned with upper-body flexibility, but only flexibility designed to increase kicking ability (in whatever way). I am new to this, and the trickstutorials seemed overly general, so I am not sure it was the best bet. Plus, there are SO many stretches there that I can't discern which are most effective for my situation.

That said, I am still open to suggestions, and if someone wants to point me to resources concerning kicking form, I'd be grateful.

[Jake Martin]

Originally Posted by 1commander

Maybe my question would be of form over flexibility. However, I found that the tricks site is about general flexibility. I am not concerned with upper-body flexibility, but only flexibility designed to increase kicking ability (in whatever way). I am new to this, and the trickstutorials seemed overly general, so I am not sure it was the best bet. Plus, there are SO many stretches there that I can't discern which are most effective for my situation.

That said, I am still open to suggestions, and if someone wants to point me to resources concerning kicking form, I'd be grateful.

This is what has worked well for me:

Twice a day, performed a circuit of controlled leg swings. Front, back, and side (make this one sport specific by rotating on the ball of your foot as you would when kicking). Do this for 8-12 reps each, 3x through the circuit, finally reaching your max height on the last set.

I prefer to do it as soon as I wakeup, and then later before my workout. Once you get it down it should only take 5-10 minutes, and you'll see pretty good gains in kicking flexibility quickly if you've not done something like it before.

It's the frequency that makes it particularly effective though. This is all on the tricks website, btw.

[MikeMartial]

Originally Posted by Shotokan777

This is what has worked well for me:

Twice a day, performed a circuit of controlled leg swings. Front, back, and side (make this one sport specific by rotating on the ball of your foot as you would when kicking). Do this for 8-12 reps each, 3x through the circuit, finally reaching your max height on the last set.

I prefer to do it as soon as I wakeup, and then later before my workout. Once you get it down it should only take 5-10 minutes, and you'll see pretty good gains in kicking flexibility quickly if you've not done something like it before.

It's the frequency that makes it particularly effective though. This is all on the tricks website, btw.

Dynamic stretching > all else. And yes, this is right on the Tricks website. The author of the website cites Kurz as one of his references. His choice of "sport" may be incredible ghey, but the dude is in top shape, and knows his flexibility training, nutrition, and strength training quite well.

[vince89]

Build a 20 minute routine starting with dynamic stretches and then static stretches. Also look at your technique, alot of guys cant kick high because they dont really swing the leg or turn their hips powerfully enough. You have to somewhat commit to a high kick you cant just flick it out and expect it to be powerful.

Some stretches I recommend:

Forward and Side Leg Swings, start with high sets of 20 once you build your flexibility 10 should do. Keep the leg straight my contracting your quad always try and kick a bit higher never just kick without feeling a stretch. Waste of time.

Stand straight and spread your legs out with the toes pointing forward as if you were to do a hamstring stretch. Instead stand with your back straight and push out with your hips. Also do this with one leg only but turn your foot to simulate the action of a Muay Thai kick and hold that stretch for 5 seconds and then release with a kick.

Obviously the common hamstring, quad and hip stretches too.

Also KICK! When you do padwork as your friend to hold the pads a bit higher and just focus on your technique. When you kick, the kicking leg should kind of explode off the floor with a little half hop, that has really helped me get height. You will then build up to where you dont need the hop so your kicks arent telegraphed.