Hi everybody

[lewyman]

Hi all, i am a new comer, i found this site while scanning youtube for help with increasing side kick 'strength' and 'height' and found one of paul which was the best out of many video's.
However i am struggling in improvement in both areas of the side kick and was wondering if anyone could help me with any 'to do at home' exercises that might help me improve. i have only browsed the DVD's but not sure which one to start off with.

i am presently doing boxing but would like to get into kicking type martial arts :)

[senzala]

Welcome :)

[lewyman]

Thanks, i hope to gain a lot from this site :)

[smurffee]

Here's a copy of a message I recently sent to another newbie, it focuses on side kicking but some of the techniques are useful for other kicks too. I hope you find it useful

"Patience is important, but you can help yourself by getting into good habits and this means repetition of good training exercises. Here is some stuff I have found useful

I don’t know if you’ve seen Paul’s you tube videos on sidekick techniques, there’s are some good pointers and exercises in these videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8HLJenYKeQ&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8HLJenYKeQ&feature=related)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pJGBmLeOC8&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pJGBmLeOC8&feature=related)

Here’s another clip that breaks down the technique for you – the critical part is the pivot with the standing foot, it helps to align the hips correctly. Just remember it is better to kick with good form at a lower height and if that means delivering your technique to mid thigh correctly this is better than losing control and trying to kick too high.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j1w--TjqVY&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j1w--TjqVY&feature=related)


and for strengthening try slow kicking like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R41v2aF0TA&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R41v2aF0TA&feature=related)
all he is doing is front kick, back kick and side kick. If you do a set of 5 (15 kicks) off each foot twice a week you will increase the tone of the muscles needed to deliver the kicks. This will improve your posture, strength and your control and this will put in the foundation to increase your flexibility. This is an absolute nugget of gold. Really improved my overall technique and you’ll see improvement quite quickly. As you get stronger you’ll be able to increase the height of the slow kick. To put it into perspective I’m 5’ 11” and will slow kick between my navel and my solar plexus, so around 4 feet (depending on the kick) but I can easily sidekick someone 6’ 4” in the face.

and eventually -Paul showing off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1v6pPt-4w&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1v6pPt-4w&feature=related) "

All the best
Neil

[lewyman]

thanks a bunch for the info, i intend to keep it up as much as possible to improve my kicking in general and this looks like quite a structured way of doing it, thank you for that also.