Muay Thai, kicking tips

[lolwut]

I've been training for 8 months now, and I'm still having trouble with my kicks, specifically the timing of the kicking motion after rotating the hips, any tips out there?

[Enigma_Machine]

I've been training for 8 months now' date=' and I'm still having trouble with my kicks, specifically the timing of the kicking motion after rotating the hips, any tips out there?[/quote']

 

whoyou training with? shouldn't you ask your coach or are you just hitting a bag at home?

 

Experiment. See what works, change it up, and you don't need to go flat out straight away, get the technique right before you start trying to develop power.

 

You need to learn to walk before you can run.

 

As for the technique itself, I'm sure there's instructional videos online you can watch, and maybe a few more educated muay thai practitioners here that may comment.

[lolwut]

I'm looking for more advice from a current practicioner, my gym hasn't really taught me much, which is a disappointment.

[Enigma_Machine]

I'm looking for more advice from a current practicioner' date=' my gym hasn't really taught me much, which is a disappointment.[/quote']

 

After 8 months, you should be quite good, maybe you should find a new gym? I did Muay Thai for a couple of months, but my Karate suffered because the kicks are different, and Muay Thai are heavier kicks, you need to follow through with them which sort of makes it hard to use in combos in Karate. However, once I am done with Karate I'll probably go back to Muay Thai.

 

Good luck man.

[WalkLikeAWarrior707]

I've been training for 8 months now' date=' and I'm still having trouble with my kicks, specifically the timing of the kicking motion after rotating the hips, any tips out there?[/quote']

 

I train MT and I would say just let your leg flow like it naturally would after rotating your hips. Your leg should be in motion as you rotate your hips so Id say by the time your hips are fully rotated thats exactly when your kick should land. If you wanna see some examples I would say look up some videos on youtube of some real thai's kicking or someone with some good technique

[BESERKER]

... Tip #1 - observe Buakaw

 

[WalkLikeAWarrior707]

... Tip #1 - observe Buakaw

 

 

Most definitely!

[Enigma_Machine]

... Tip #1 - observe Buakaw

 

 

damn, that looks like it would hurt :eek:

[Tiberius]

Obviously watch video of Buakaw you aren't going to find a more technically sound kicker. As for the timing you mentioned you should be throwing your kicks with one motion like you would swing a baseball bat. The start of the motion is with your hips (and that's what should be generating most of your power) but your kicks should still flow in one motion. Everything needs to be focused on what you are trying to do/point of impact. Like a golfer hitting a golf ball or a baseball player hitting a baseball. In your case you want everything coming together when your shin smacks your opponents leg, body or head etc.

[reapers_bane]

I've been training for 8 months now' date=' and I'm still having trouble with my kicks, specifically the timing of the kicking motion after rotating the hips, any tips out there?[/quote']

 

it could be that your mid section doesnt twist as you kick.

[Kevbo_Jones]

I've been training for 8 months now' date=' and I'm still having trouble with my kicks, specifically the timing of the kicking motion after rotating the hips, any tips out there?[/quote']

 

All you need to know is turning over your hips once you're committed, and kicking THROUGH your target. Always place your imaginary bullseye about 6 inches past your intended target.

[StompGrind]

It might help to make sure your stepping out to a 45 degree angle outside of the target with your posting foot.

 

This opens your hip and allows you more leverage to swing through the target. Many beginners make the mistake of kicking in a straight line with the lead leg trailing the kicking one at 90 degrees behind. There is no power there and it feels awkward.

 

Another common mistake is some people hop into the kick a little and that will kill your coordination and momentum. Power not only comes from the velocity of rotation but from driving off the ground without leaving the ground. You need a solid base to work from or balance and coordination goes out the window.

 

It's should be done with a lunging 45 degree step that opens your hips and the moment your foot post on the ground the kick is released with full hip rotation a split second later.

 

You almost wanna imagine your leg like a door and you open the door by taking the 45 degree step to the outside which creates a little tension in your hips like a spring and gives you a better angle to go through the target then you simply slam the door shut by releasing that tension and slamming your shin bone into the target.

 

Another tip is to shoot a jab out to cover this intial movement so you don't telegraph the angleling step so much. It will also help to rotate your hips a little in the opposite direction which will make the spring ( your hips ) loaded and ready to be released.

 

Yet another way to set it up is throwing a light straight cross as you take the outside step and firing the kick immediately after.

 

Once you get those two down you can start experimenting with lead hooks and even uppercuts to cover the intial movement.

 

You should think of these punch setups as part of the intial movment. Don't do it in steps but one smooth flow. There basically just fients to cover the stepping movement and lend some momentum to your intial movement.

 

After you've got that down experiment with different footwork, advancing, retreating, sidestepping & pivoting both inside and outside, switching steps. Then once you've got that down try adding evasion such as slipping inside and outside and the leanback to your footwork and punch fients.

 

With all of that there's plenty of variation.

 

 

Also if you haven't already take a look at some of Bas Ruttens stuff on kicking on youtube.

[Malekith]

It might help to make sure your stepping out to a 45 degree angle outside of the target with your posting foot.

 

This opens your hip and allows you more leverage to swing through the target. Many beginners make the mistake of kicking in a straight line with the lead leg trailing the kicking one at 90 degrees behind. There is no power there and it feels awkward.

 

Another common mistake is some people hop into the kick a little and that will kill your coordination and momentum. Power not only comes from the velocity of rotation but from driving off the ground without leaving the ground. You need a solid base to work from or balance and coordination goes out the window.

 

It's should be done with a lunging 45 degree step that opens your hips and the moment your foot post on the ground the kick is released with full hip rotation a split second later.

 

You almost wanna imagine your leg like a door and you open the door by taking the 45 degree step to the outside which creates a little tension in your hips like a spring and gives you a better angle to go through the target then you simply slam the door shut by releasing that tension and slamming your shin bone into the target.

 

Another tip is to shoot a jab out to cover this intial movement so you don't telegraph the angleling step so much. It will also help to rotate your hips a little in the opposite direction which will make the spring ( your hips ) loaded and ready to be released.

 

Yet another way to set it up is throwing a light straight cross as you take the outside step and firing the kick immediately after.

 

Once you get those two down you can use start experimenting with lead hooks and even uppercuts to cover the intial movement.

 

You should think of these punch setups as part of the intial movment. Don't do it in steps but one smooth flow. There basically just fients to cover the stepping movement and lend some momentum to your intial movement.

 

After you've got that down experiment with different footwork' date=' advancing, retreating, sidestepping & pivoting both inside and outside, switching steps. Then once you've got that down try adding evasion such as slipping inside and outside and the leanback to your footwork and punch fients.

 

With all of that there's plenty of variation.

 

 

Also if you haven't already take a look at some of Bas Ruttens stuff on kicking on youtube.[/quote']

 

You sir are a Sage of the Ages.

 

The only kicks I am familiar with are TKD kicks but I know when I throw kicks I tend to utilize my entire body in one fluid motion. Building and moving momentum from my core and hips then moving it through my leg. But to be honest kicking has become like second to nature me seeing as I did it for 5 or 6 years straight. Not to mention kicking is the main aspect of TKD haha!

[TJKD]

It might help to make sure your stepping out to a 45 degree angle outside of the target with your posting foot.

 

This opens your hip and allows you more leverage to swing through the target. Many beginners make the mistake of kicking in a straight line with the lead leg trailing the kicking one at 90 degrees behind. There is no power there and it feels awkward.

 

Another common mistake is some people hop into the kick a little and that will kill your coordination and momentum. Power not only comes from the velocity of rotation but from driving off the ground without leaving the ground. You need a solid base to work from or balance and coordination goes out the window.

 

It's should be done with a lunging 45 degree step that opens your hips and the moment your foot post on the ground the kick is released with full hip rotation a split second later.

 

You almost wanna imagine your leg like a door and you open the door by taking the 45 degree step to the outside which creates a little tension in your hips like a spring and gives you a better angle to go through the target then you simply slam the door shut by releasing that tension and slamming your shin bone into the target.

 

Another tip is to shoot a jab out to cover this intial movement so you don't telegraph the angleling step so much. It will also help to rotate your hips a little in the opposite direction which will make the spring ( your hips ) loaded and ready to be released.

 

Yet another way to set it up is throwing a light straight cross as you take the outside step and firing the kick immediately after.

 

Once you get those two down you can start experimenting with lead hooks and even uppercuts to cover the intial movement.

 

You should think of these punch setups as part of the intial movment. Don't do it in steps but one smooth flow. There basically just fients to cover the stepping movement and lend some momentum to your intial movement.

 

After you've got that down experiment with different footwork' date=' advancing, retreating, sidestepping & pivoting both inside and outside, switching steps. Then once you've got that down try adding evasion such as slipping inside and outside and the leanback to your footwork and punch fients.

 

With all of that there's plenty of variation.

 

 

Also if you haven't already take a look at some of Bas Ruttens stuff on kicking on youtube.[/quote']

 

All this & a few of my own.

 

Throwing the punch as you kick has many benefits. Throw from whichever side you're kicking with. If done properly, your one hand covers one side of your face. Your high shoulder on the punching arm protects your chin (keep it tucked). You obscure your opponents vision, then bam.

 

Technique first. Speed & power will come with proper technique.

 

Shadowboxing is your best friend. When shadowboxing, always perform a full 360 degree turn. This also has numerous benefits. You can't pull a smooth 360 with your heel on the floor & you learn to drive through your opponent instead of connecting then resetting. Trying to connect then reset will throw off your balance, limit your power, & take longer.

 

After that it's just repitition. Sometimes it sucks but if you really want to get better, start throwing 500 kicks a day. Or more if you feel like it.

 

Good luck

[BESERKER]

Obviously watch video of Buakaw you aren't going to find a more technically sound kicker. As for the timing you mentioned you should be throwing your kicks with one motion like you would swing a baseball bat. The start of the motion is with your hips (and that's what should be generating most of your power) but your kicks should still flow in one motion. Everything needs to be focused on what you are trying to do/point of impact. Like a golfer hitting a golf ball or a baseball player hitting a baseball. In your case you want everything coming together when your shin smacks your opponents leg' date=' body or head etc.[/quote']

yep, he figured it out at an early age -