Good resource for learning kick box techniques?

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putz168

Cathlete
Hi all,

I'm enjoying KPC much more than I ever thought I would, but I want my kicks to look like Jai's, and that ain't happening. Does anyone know a good resource for breaking down the kicks so I can figure out how to do them properly? Needless to say I need more flexibility as well, but.... I feel like I'm just flailing my leg out there, but it looks like it may be more hip first, then leg out and in... knee straight out? knee straight up? Are there modified versions until I become a bit more flexible than a brick? I want good form and can't pick it up just from watching someone else do it...

Thanks!

Beth
 
Do you have Kick Max? In that DVD Cathe breaks down the kicks before the workout and afterward there is a leg section that works the legs specifically for proper kicks.
 
The leg conditioning drills from Kick Max are a great way to practice your form, but don't be in a rush to be as good as Cathe and cast!! Cathe herself mentions during the drill segment that she is working on improving as well. If Cathe has room for improvement, I think it's a safe bet to say most of us do as well....:)

Jerry
 
Flexibility and range of motion is very important for this. I've been taking tae kwon do for over a year and can get my kicks as good as Jai's on my left side, but not my right. I'm very flexible, but the ROM on my right side for side kicks is bad. My pelvis is irregular on that side from breaking it when I was 19. Doesn't matter how much I practice, there's only so high I can get my leg for side kicks and their version of a roundhouse.

Just do your best. Who cares how it looks? Does anyone see you doing it?
 
Thanks for the Kick Max suggestion. I never thought I would enjoy the martial arts workouts but I have to say KPC was a blast, so I'll look into that. Anyboy have any idea where to get the gloves Cathe is wearing in the upclose pic of the 4-day split kickboxing workout?

Beth L.
 
While how you look isn't important, proper form for kickboxing is extremely important. The reason so many people torque their knees doing kickbox workouts is bad form during the kicks (not pivoting standing leg, hyperextension of the kicking knee, trying to kick higher than flexibility allows and beginning the kick before the knee has been fully chambered etc.) To answer your original question: Your knee should only be pointed at the ceiling during front kicks. It should face forward for side and roundhouse kicks. You have to turn the hip of the kicking leg to get the right position. BTW, if you don't already know, make sure your elbows don't "fly" out the the sides during punches. They should stay close to the body.

Cathe's drill at the end of KM are very good for form on kicks. She doesn't cover the backkick though or punching. If you're interested, other videos/instructors for correct form included Billy Blanks Taebo Instructional; Kathy Smith Kickboxing with Keith Cooke; Ilaria Montagnani (Powerstrike). HTH!

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.
 
>While how you look isn't important, proper form for
>kickboxing is extremely important.

ITA

You may not have the flexibility and/or strength in particular muscles right now to kick as high as you'd like, but don't force it. The good thing is, the more you do kickboxing, the better you get at it, and it helps you develop strength and flexibility. Keep your kicks lower for now, but focus on good form with them.

Some other good tutorials to add to those that Jonahnah menitoned): Aaron Lankford's Powerkicks (OOP video), Katalin Zamir's tutorial DVD (the workouts themselves are not as good, because she doesn't follow the beat of the music).
 
I agree that form is the key, hence the original question, so I really appreciate the tutorial suggestions. Thanks everyone!

Beth L.
 
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