hey guys. a question?

Question

Why is it that when some people do a turning (roundhouse) kick that their feet are "floopy" and they end up not keeping their foot inline with the leg, thus kicking with the toes???

I think that it has something to do with the muscles in the front of the calf, and that FFS (floppy foot syndrome, lol) can be prevented with calf raisers (an exercise when you go up on tiptoes, and back down, strengthing the calf muscles.), but I was wondering if anyone else has seen this before, and has found ways to prevent it.

Answer 1

I am not certain what you are asking. Ok, there are two main turn kicks in my art: striking surface being the top of the foot, foot and toes curled as far under as you can get them, and striking with the ball of the foot (that foot position is hard to describe).

Most of our kicking, especially in forms, was with the ball of the foot turn kick. Breaking with the other one is difficult.

I believe you are talking about where the foot and toes are curled under, striking with the top of the foot.

Are you referencing when the the foot flop at the ankle? Are you referencing not having the toes properly positioned, i.e. not curled under?

For both types of turn kick, I do not remember any specific excercises to reinforce foot and toe position other than the gazillion standing turn kicks, with or without a target mit, epecially when your instructor gives you the pleasure of holding them for a time as he corrects each student. During the kicking practice, of course the instructor keeps an eye for the floppy foot.

As a junior belts we practiced by standing on one foot, raising the other just above the ground, and hold the foot posture. Some people had an easier time of it than others. Some people's toes curl under easier than others.

Kicking something with improper foot position is a good way to hurt yourself.

We did not do calf raises to help specifically with the turn kick but I have no doubt it helps. Calf raises are always a good idea. Really helps with stances too.

I do not see how the muscles in the FRONT of the calf would affect the turn kick I believe you reference. They do affect front kick position though: getting the toes back for the ball of the foot front kick or for when you want the whole foot pulled back for the heel of the foot front kick. If you reference the ball of the foot turn kick muscle development would be important in the front of the calf.

Development of all muscles is a good idea anyways.

Answer 2

Here is an experiment for you. Try slapping something with a locked wrist. And then do the same, but this time leave your wrist loose and retract your arm so you have a snap in your strike. If you do it correctly, you should have felt more impact when you kept your wrist loose.

Think about a bullwhip. It is loose and flexible until the last moment before impact. That's how the cracking noise happens. At the last second the whip straightens out at about the speed of sound, cracking noise.

The roundhouse uses a whipping motion for it's power. if you get kicked by someone that uses this method, it'll feel like they have lead feet. We kick this way and have more power for the same amount of exertion. The retraction also keeps you in control if your target moves also. You stay in balance better and you don't risk an over extension of your knee.

If you are kicking with your toes, you need to get closer to the target or extend you leg more. Hope this helps you out.

Answer 3

Oh yeah, I've seen it happen many times with younger students (I'm even guilty of it myself on occasion)

But I don't think it has anything to do with the muscles in their calves, but more to do about keeping their focus on straightening their foot to keep the ball of the foot pointing outward as it should be for a true roundhouse, instead of keeping it loose when they perform the kick.

it can be difficult to do that, but doing those calf raises may help them get the feel of how it should be properly done.

and secondly, most likely in the chance you wind up in a fight, you won't have time to remove your shoes so you can do the PROPER technique for a true roundhouse, so you have that extra padding on your foot and it wouldn't be necessary to use the ball of your foot to make the strike.

but to do it would have the same effect regardless; knocking the opponent for a loop momentarily.

and bushido has a very fine point to his posting, since your metatarsals (the smallest bones in your toes) can be broken pretty easily, so using your shin (because it has thicker and more solid bones and less cartillage and flexor muscles) like Muay Thai fighters do, has a better effect.

Answer 4

Usually the reason that this happens is because people are not used to controlling the positoning of their foot. With the kids that I teach I use a great drill to teach them to control their foot position. First you sit up with your legs out straight, then bring your feet off the mat and push out with the heels, Hold for a few seconds and then push out with the balls of your feet makeing sure to keep your toes back and hold, last flex your feet down keeping the foot in line with the leg (the position that your looking for) and hold. Repeat. Going through these motions will help train you to position your feet in the proper way for mosk kicks (heel, ball, and instep) It's a great drill for kids because it's so simple and you can practice while sitting around infront of the televison or whatever.

Answer 5

Flexibility and experience.

People who aren't exercising those muscles enough and limbering them up will have trouble controlling them to a finer degree. Naturally, this conditioning SHOULD come with experience, but doesn't always. Some people never throw a kick against anything more solid than a pad, be it a bag or a chest protector in a tournament. Obviously, this doesn't encourage the best habits...

Answer 6

Not entirely sure......not trying to get into the board debate.....but i was always taught you should kick with your toes (balls of your feet) while doing a roundhouse...unless you can break through 3 boards with the top. Breaking through 3 boards lets you know the top of the foot is hard enough, so it doesn't break when you kick someone.

Answer 7

People must kick things in training. Kicking the air is OK for form but the technique must be applied to a target in training in order for it to be applicable in a real self defense situation.
If a target that simulates the hardness and weight of an oppenent is kicked often in training it is likely the person will not have this syndrome you speak of.

Answer 8

I'm just trying to figure out what you mean by "floopy". When sparring, you should kick with your instep. When doing forms, breaking or fighting for real, you should be kicking with the ball of your foot. If you can describe "floopy" in more detail, I can answer in more detail. Email me.

Answer 9

your foot should be extended and you should be kicking with your shin not your foot.you foot has lots of very fine bones and they break very easily.
you use the ball of your foot with a front kick.
PS.theres more than 1 type of roundhouse.there not both meant to strike and retract quickly.