Side Lift/Sidekick problems

[iMagnusX]

OK, main problem #1
I can't seem to keep a foot angle of 45* upwards or below and still touch my hand to my foot. I could touch my hand to my knee or shin. But kicks generally don't go much above waist height. When I try and touch with the hand I run into...

problem #2
I tend to lean over (forward, at the hip) excessively to get that hand over there. I know you are supposed to allow some body lean, but since I'm not going up to my head, something seems wrong. It no longer feels like I'm stretching the adductors, just sorta like I'm, um, kicking a bit forward of perfectly sideways.

[k-slash]

Stretch, and don`t lean forward.

[Papa Lazarou]

Just don't bother with using your hand as a stop. I'm not really sure but I think the hand is only really for high velocity kicks where it's hard to control the end of the movement. If you're not reaching head height the hand is most likely useless since you won't need high speed movements to stretch.

[searchsoul]

put your stretching leg on a higher-than-your-waist platform and side stretch, like you're going to cartwheel

[iMagnusX]

cool good suggestions.

Although now I've run into another problem: I get some pain in my left hip at a certain point. This also occurs with static stretching.

Pushing my pelvis forward so that my waistline is paralllel with the floor makes it hurt in one position. Tilting it back so that the front of my belt aims at the floor sort of increases ROM, but it hurts in a different spot in the hip.


I guess the main question is, which way do I want to tilt the pelvis? Some people say tilt forward, some tilt back. I just don't want to rub bone on bone.

[frozenpeon]

Do the toes up split if you can't get rid of the pain.

[Ashtar]

Meter stick or broom?