Axe Kick w/ Pause

short gorilla · Jan-18-07, 10:37 AM

Okay, I figured this could go in either flexibility or martial arts, so I was here, so I posted it here. Whatever.

I'm working on axe kicks. I'm trying to get to a point where I can bring my leg straight up 180 degrees (or farther), then hold it for a second or two before finishing the axe kick. I've been working dynamic flexibility and hip strength, but none of the exercises I do seem to benefit that technique at all. Is it just a matter of continued training and hip strength/flexibility progression, or am I missing something?

I do pretty much all the dynamic stretches, I do leg lifts to the front and side, sometimes with weights. I do hip exercises on machines in the gym, stuff like that. I don't do it everyday so as to avoid overtraining the muscles. Am I being impatient or what? Thanks for any help.

tracekillz · Jan-18-07, 10:58 AM

try some static stretching and not so much weight train with your hips. in this case i believe resistance training would benefit you more.

kristo · Jan-18-07, 11:18 AM

try building up some more static active flexibility in that range.

wynnema · Jan-18-07, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by short gorilla

Okay, I figured this could go in either flexibility or martial arts, so I was here, so I posted it here. Whatever.

I'm working on axe kicks. I'm trying to get to a point where I can bring my leg straight up 180 degrees (or farther), then hold it for a second or two before finishing the axe kick. I've been working dynamic flexibility and hip strength, but none of the exercises I do seem to benefit that technique at all. Is it just a matter of continued training and hip strength/flexibility progression, or am I missing something?

I do pretty much all the dynamic stretches, I do leg lifts to the front and side, sometimes with weights. I do hip exercises on machines in the gym, stuff like that. I don't do it everyday so as to avoid overtraining the muscles. Am I being impatient or what? Thanks for any help.

when you say you do dynamic lifts with weights, what do you mean.

short gorilla · Jan-18-07, 01:16 PM

No, sorry, misunderstanding. I don't do dynamic stretching with weights. I do dynamic stretching, and I do leg lifts. Sometimes I do the leg lifts with weights.

XoN · Jan-18-07, 03:14 PM

You'll need to improve static flexibility for starters. Once you've got a good stretch, try doing a front kick waist height, and hold it for 3 seconds or longer, then lower the leg. Rinse and repeat.
If you do this daily, a) you'll have very sore thighs, and b) you should be able to achieve the axe kick.
It'll probably take several weeks to build up the strength to hold the kick at head height.

short gorilla · Jan-18-07, 07:28 PM

Hmmm... these are all good tips. Thanks. I'm already able to hold my leg out for a good 5-10 seconds at near head level. The problem arises when I try to hold it any higher. I have the range of motion and flexibility, but it seems I just lose any strength after a certain height (maybe shoulder level).

wynnema · Jan-19-07, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by short gorilla

Hmmm... these are all good tips. Thanks. I'm already able to hold my leg out for a good 5-10 seconds at near head level. The problem arises when I try to hold it any higher. I have the range of motion and flexibility, but it seems I just lose any strength after a certain height (maybe shoulder level).

in that case it is definetely a strength issue. just persevere with active holds, also deep, wide stance squats will help

short gorilla · Jan-19-07, 08:32 AM

I'll keep plugging away then. Thanks for the responses!

Wesker · Jan-19-07, 10:46 AM

To be able to pause and hold the leg at that height demands some serious leg strength and flexibility.
Do strength training for your legs, work on your front split, do dynamic stretches to the front and do static active stretches. Work your way up.

Jan-18-07, 10:37 AM	#1
short gorilla BANANA SUSHI User status: Offline Location: Michigan Posts: 1,760 Age: 25	Axe Kick w/ Pause Okay, I figured this could go in either flexibility or martial arts, so I was here, so I posted it here. Whatever. I'm working on axe kicks. I'm trying to get to a point where I can bring my leg straight up 180 degrees (or farther), then hold it for a second or two before finishing the axe kick. I've been working dynamic flexibility and hip strength, but none of the exercises I do seem to benefit that technique at all. Is it just a matter of continued training and hip strength/flexibility progression, or am I missing something? I do pretty much all the dynamic stretches, I do leg lifts to the front and side, sometimes with weights. I do hip exercises on machines in the gym, stuff like that. I don't do it everyday so as to avoid overtraining the muscles. Am I being impatient or what? Thanks for any help.

Jan-18-07, 10:58 AM	#2
tracekillz HANDPAW MONSTER!!! User status: Offline Location: anywhere and everywhere Posts: 1,686 Age: 23	try some static stretching and not so much weight train with your hips. in this case i believe resistance training would benefit you more.

Jan-18-07, 11:18 AM	#3
kristo !!!!! User status: Offline Posts: 549 Age: 24	try building up some more static active flexibility in that range.

Jan-18-07, 01:16 PM	#5
short gorilla BANANA SUSHI User status: Offline Location: Michigan Posts: 1,760 Age: 25	No, sorry, misunderstanding. I don't do dynamic stretching with weights. I do dynamic stretching, and I do leg lifts. Sometimes I do the leg lifts with weights.

Jan-18-07, 03:14 PM	#6
XoN Member User status: Offline Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 79 Age: 23	You'll need to improve static flexibility for starters. Once you've got a good stretch, try doing a front kick waist height, and hold it for 3 seconds or longer, then lower the leg. Rinse and repeat. If you do this daily, a) you'll have very sore thighs, and b) you should be able to achieve the axe kick. It'll probably take several weeks to build up the strength to hold the kick at head height.

Jan-18-07, 07:28 PM	#7
short gorilla BANANA SUSHI User status: Offline Location: Michigan Posts: 1,760 Age: 25	Hmmm... these are all good tips. Thanks. I'm already able to hold my leg out for a good 5-10 seconds at near head level. The problem arises when I try to hold it any higher. I have the range of motion and flexibility, but it seems I just lose any strength after a certain height (maybe shoulder level).

Jan-19-07, 08:32 AM	#9
short gorilla BANANA SUSHI User status: Offline Location: Michigan Posts: 1,760 Age: 25	I'll keep plugging away then. Thanks for the responses!

Jan-19-07, 10:46 AM	#10
Wesker Girls like icecream User status: Offline Location: Sweden Posts: 577 Age: 24	To be able to pause and hold the leg at that height demands some serious leg strength and flexibility. Do strength training for your legs, work on your front split, do dynamic stretches to the front and do static active stretches. Work your way up.