Need kick box pointers

[Carmen829]

I love KPC and the new 4DS Kick Box. But when doing the side kicks I cant get my leg to look as straight as Cathe's. My leg has a bend. I look clumsy.

Question: where should the knee face of the kicking leg? Also what can I do to get my kick to look cleaner? (straight leg, powerful kick). Should I stretch more?

Thanks.

Carmen

 

[crazystepr]

I can't help you here since I look positively ridiculous when I kickbox. It's not a pretty sight, I promise.

As Cathe says "Don't worry about how you look, just gimme some!!!"

If your form is compromising your workout in that it could lead to injuries, that's one thing. If you're just worried because you think you look silly, I'd forget about it. Just make sure you're working hard!

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90

 

[lainiefig]

I'm not an expert in this, but I think a lot of times Cathe lets you choose the type of kick--a side thrust kick would lead from the heel thrusting out to the side. A side snap kick would be from a bent knee to a straight leg--snapping in a way but not necessarily snapping hard to a locked knee as that might be an injury. I believe the knee should generally face forward on side kicks. Ideally at extension your ankle would be in line with your knee and hip. I remember Billy Blanks talking about looking like you could balance a cup on your knee by holding steady as you kicked. I don't know if that is helpful. Also, if you have trouble with form, don't start trying to kick as high as Cathe. You can start by kicking lower.

Do you have Kick Max? I wonder if the leg conditioning drills at the end of Kick Max would be helpful to you. She uses some of the same moves you use in kickboxing but slowly and for toning and balance.

[font face="comic sans ms" font color=purple]***Lainie***
My fitness blog: http://fitnessfig.blogspot.com/ http://bestsmileys.com/exercising/7.gif[/font]

 

[Carmen829]

Thank you for the great feedback. What about throwing a jab and a hook punch. Where should I be aiming? Straight out almost at my chest level or up more towards the jaw?

Thanks.
Carmen

 

[allwildgirl]

Strangely, the best way to figure out where you're aiming when throwing punches is to picture someone in front of you that you're punching. You want to aim for somewhere between the chin and the chest for a jab, and as if you're hitting them in the chin with a hook.

And your leg doesn't necessarily have to be straight for a side kick. You'll find it easier to get it straighter, though, if you don't try to kick as high. Just try starting with hip level kicks and progress from there. For a side kick, you want to have the planted foot pointed in the opposite direction from the kick, and the kicking leg chambers up so the knee is bent in front of the body. When you kick, the knee will be even with the body. For a roundhouse kick, you bring your leg up so that it's even with your hip, then snap the lower half of your leg straight out, as if you're going to kick someone with the laces of your shoes.

My advice is to watch Lorraine. She has great form

 

[kathryn]

> Where should I be aiming? Straight out
>almost at my chest level or up more towards the jaw?

If you want to be authentic, aim the jabs and crosses at nose- or chin-level of your opponent (hitting someone in the chest doesn't do much damage;-) ). For hooks, aim at the side of the chin or side of the temple (the latter could kill somebody if used in real life). For upper cuts, go for under your invisible opponent's chin (the upper cut and hook are both 'knock out' punches).

For side kicks, get the basic movement for the kick by stomping your foot down. Now move that 'stomp' to the side, making sure to chamber (bend the knee) at the beginning and end of the move (which keeps your 'opponent' from grabbing your leg). The knee should face forward. The whole kick is an "in-out-in-down" series of moves.

For roundhouses, bring up your bent leg to the side, so your knee is pointing towards your target. Keep your foot pointed, then snap the lower leg in and out, then put foot down: again, in-out-in-down. If you want to work the hamstrings more, emphasize the chamber after the kick (ie: bringing the foot quickly back to a bent position).

If your knee is pointed forward on kicks, they should look 'straight' from the front. However, you don't really want your leg to be 100% straight, as that can be bad for the knee (especially if you aren't actually kicking something that will absorb the force of the kick). Instead, don't extend to more than about 90-95% of straight, and focus on quickly recoiling your leg.

 

[Carmen829]

thank you for the excellent information.

Carmen.