Height on side kicks?

Question

What's the best way to get height on side kicks? I am a very heavy set person, and It's hard for me to get height on side kicks. I am 6'2'' and I my front kicks go pretty high for my size. But those side kicks always get me, I bought a leg stretcher, and I hope it will help me to get height. It's one of those that crank to push your legs out, and after a month or so you will be in the split position. That should help right? What else can I do, I know to stretch after I work the kicks also which helps get a tiny bit of height.

Answer 1

I'm good at side kicks, so I can help you. Keep stretching it makes a difference and workout your leg muscles because the height of your kick is measured by how fast you can take off from the floor aka your momentum. So I hope this helps you and good luck

Answer 2

I am heavy set too but not as tall as you.  actually way shorter.  I try getting the height out of my round kicks more than my side kicks.  I got my side kicks up to around most of my classmates chest/neck height and i think thats all i want to do.  were talking about the tallest being around 5'11". (not too many taller people)  I wanted more height but i concentrated on power for those kicks instead.  as perfect a technique as i could get and lots of power.  if you need some height though for say a form or something...(if your not already doing this of course)....the foot that you are left standing on should be pointing away from you and not pointing to the front of you.  I've seen a lot of people do it this way and it hinders your hips from opening- unless you can do a full split, cuz that basically what your doing standing up.  it gives you a but more power too.  other than that....just stretch and stretch and stretch some more.      

Answer 3

Try turning your plant foot so that your heel turns 45 degrees in the direction that you are kicking.  That will open up your hips and get you a little height.  

I'd stay away from those stretching machines because they can mess up your hip joints.

There was an article in Black Belt magazine about a year ago where a guy was using elastic tubing to build strength and height on side kicks.  I forget when it was in, but if you have access to them you can look it up.

Answer 4

The leg stretcher will help a lot. Don't go to your max on it though. Crank it up until you feel just a little tension, sit there and move around some, once it goes away crank it up some more, sit there, etc. If you go to your max and sit there in pain it won't stretch you at all. You can also try doing side ups; get in a side stance and throw a side kick, but keep your leg perfectly straight and lift it as high as you can. Do this several times on each leg and this will help some, but your best bet is with the stretch rack.

Answer 5

Practice. The more you do it the better you get

Same goes for stretching.

Good luck with the high side kicks. I've never needed to kick higher than groin, but if you want to stick you leg up there, go for it  

Answer 6

Side kick shouldn't go higher than the waist .For most people it is the most powerful kick but also telegraghs your intention the most.

Side kick is the reason there is a "no direct kicks to the legs"rule in MMA matches .Not only capable of doing permanent damage fights would be drastically shortened not even muay thai fighters will use them.

You decide according to your goals in martial arts how high your kick needs to be and no one else .

Answer 7

Best practice to improve kicks is to expand your flexibility in your hip area.

Most power comes from the hips.  Don't focus on only strectching your legs.  

Try sitting on the floor, right leg bent behind you.  Left leg bent in front of you with its sole pointing to the right.

Lean over your left leg till your chest touches the inside of your left thigh (which will be facing up).

Repeat for the other side.

This is one of my favorite stretches.