Thrust Kick

whitelightrider

Guys,

Ive been doing Karate for a few years now and am hoping to go for my Black Belt this year. However my side thrust kick and back kick really let me down.

Does anyone have any advice or training tips that would improve either of those kicks? More so the side thrust kick.

Millionaire

Are you getting your knee (on kicking leg) as high up as possible.

I found on most kicks, it you focus on getting your knee right up, it reall imporves the kick.

Cake Fiend

Are there any particular things about the kicks that you're having trouble with?
What does your instructor say about it?

For the side kick, make sure your low kicks are good before you try to add height. A thrust kick should be pretty much how you would try to kick through a plank of wood that was leaning against a wall. Then try to imagine this out to the side In your grading, the examiner will be looking for a definite distinction between side snap and thrust kicks, so be careful about that.

By back kicks I'm assuming you're talking about spinning back kicks? Try getting the kick down without the spin first, then add in the spin. Don't think about going 'around' when you're spinning, think about the kick going straight forward.

Roper

I take it side thrust kick is just side kick? Like Mill said, get your knee high in the chamber. Also try to dig your heel into the target as well as the foot sword. It helps with the foot position on contact so you don't catch your toes.

whitelightrider

Cheers guys. My big problem with the side kick is my focus, the lock out for that split second. I can get it on a low kick but not when I try to add height to it. Im wondering if there are any specific stretches I should be doing for them?

loz

whitelightrider wrote:

Cheers guys. My big problem with the side kick is my focus, the lock out for that split second. I can get it on a low kick but not when I try to add height to it. Im wondering if there are any specific stretches I should be doing for them?

Dynamic swings at a barre helped me -

face barre ( or wall ) legs shoulder width, swing legs up to side rep x 10 - gradually reach your max height by 10th rep - switch legs.

that will also help with height on your back kick also.

Boru.

If you're having touble with the lockout it may be due to slight muscular weakness of the adductors of the leg. Essentially you may not be strong enough to maintain the height of the kick and lock the leg out. Practice a few side leg raises using a bodyweight, resistance bands or ankle weights.

once your done practice some pnf stretching. hold the leg in the position you cna get highest, puch slowly against some form of resistance, a towl or really tight reistacne band for example. Hold it for about 6 seconds, relax and slightly increase the stretch. This should improve the range of motion about 1-2 inches quite quickly.

Remerber to toughrily warm up before hand, and to do it on both sides. Obviously pnf stretching should be taken slowly and with caution as you are contracting a muscle in the stretched and weakest range.

Hope this helps,

t_rom/reaper

yo just remeber in the gradeing confidence makes your kicks look and feel better so dont worry and just practice