Am i doing my tae kwon do side kick and step sidekick right?

Question

i am a white belt in tkd and started it a week ago, here is a link to a video showing, me doing a sidekick and step sidekick. either comment the video or answer this question.

All constructive critcism is accepted

Answer 1

where's the video lol

Answer 2

You should be discussing this with your instructor, but...

It looks like you are hitting with the ball of your foot (as opposed to the heel). Also, try snapping your hip into the kick (think of popping your weight into it). Try to rotate your standing foot 180 degrees to generate power. Also, try to snap your leg back after contact, otherwise, it'll get grabbed and leave you completely exposed.

You look like you are trying to go fast when doing this. The lower belts are where you establish a foundation. Don't worry so much about speed. Work solely on your form and technique for the kick. Speed and power will be derived from proper form. Go slow, concentrate and stop yourself mid-kick, if needed, to check your form.

Answer 3

I actually think for being a white belt, you do a better than decent job. Now I will attempt to switch my hat back to my TKD days to further review...

I agree that it looks like you are attempting to go fast. Don't worry about speed at this level; work on proper positioning and form first, then develop power - speed will follow.

In TKD also, I recall there being different methods to the sidekick depending on your target. Based on where you are kicking the bag I will assume you are going for the stomach or ribs. That being the case, you would want to strike with the heel. You do a good job pulling your toes back, but work on your foot position during the strike, as you want it consistent when you actually make contact rather than twisting and turning.

The remedy for the above issue can be dealt with by the suggestion of another answer before mine: concentrate on the aspects of the sidekick. While I won't break it down into four parts, you should break it down to how you need to in order to accomplish what you are doing properly - lifting your leg, keeping your balance, delivering a kick that actually has power, returning your leg to its position previous to the kick (chamber), and setting the foot down intentionally (not flopping). Perform your kicks more SLOWLY rather than quickly; you cannot mask flaws as easily while going slowly! You'll find this will test your balance. This is what you want to train. As a hint, bend your supporting leg should you find yourself losing your balance.

I cannot recall if in TKD you point your knee toward the target before the kick to twist your hip or if you crank the knee back as far as you can like a spring before releasing the kick for power, so I won't comment on that...

The step sidekick is difficult to see based on your angle, but what I have mentioned earlier should apply here as well.

All in all, great job and pretty bold of you to put yourself out there for criticism! Just know that you should be able to ask your teacher for any advice as well.

Good luck with your training.

Answer 4

When you do your sidekick raise you kicking leg so that you foot is level to your knee and your leg in front of your body. (This might take some practice and stretching to accomplish.) And utilize your whole body to transfer energy through your whole body, usually I rotate my torso AWAY from my kicking leg. Also remember to re-chamber your leg, there are 4 parts to a kick: chamber, kick, re-chamber, and dropping your foot. Also you should kick with the blade of your foot, the hard outer edge not the ball. When you do this it might feel weird becuase your body should be perpendicular to the target and your non-kicking foot should be facing the opposite direction ("away from the target"). Remember to practice and have fun!

Answer 5

I tried to help on you tube, but my computer could be being stupid. I'm sorry if it didn't work.