What can I do about my Hips when I attempting high kicks? Can i fix it somehow?

Question

I feel like its poping in/out, feels rather awkward.

When I attempt High kicks, I feel like my hip is popping in/out if that makes any sense. Is there any way to fix that? Is it just a limit of my flexibility?

Answer 1

There could be a number of causes contributing to this. It will be hard for us to really give you a good answer on this forum but:

a) You should make sure that you are doing everything correctly according to your instructor/s directions first. Discuss this problem with them and see if they have any recommendations.

b) A prior posters comment regarding placement of the anchor (the foot that remains on the ground) is accurate and may help alleviate some difficulty in plevic allighment as you kick.

c) Pre-chambering can help i.e. lifting the heaviest part of the leg as high as possible before extending the lower leg to execute the required. kick. Kicking with the whole leg at the same time puts quite a strain on the hip joint and on the small of the back for posture maintenance and balance.

d) If none of this helps to alleviate the situation, you should consider a quick visit to your doctor to ensure there is no physical reason that may be causing the limitation or awkwardness.

One other point for the first poster, I actually have a wonderful student in my program who has scoliosis also. He's been training with me now for over three years and is about a year from black belt testing. He also trains in Judo with another instructor and he's pretty amazing. There are certain body positions and movements that prove difficult because of his condition, but he overcomes all or adjusts accordingly.

Good Luck

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 2

A number of things can cause this from lower back problems to congenital hip problems to overstretching and over-extension and the area around your hip and the ligaments not being strong enough to hold it in place. Try building that area up by doing some squats and lounges, jogging, as well as some leg presses if you have access to a gym and see if it helps alleviate the problem. Some people can literally over-train and get their kicks so strong and fast but not develop their hips at the same time so that it can happen. Different muscles and muscle groups not only help you do something more vigorously-they also oppose each other sometimes and help keep things in place. Build up your upper leg and hip and see if that does not help resolve it. If not then see a sports medicine place and see what they recommend.

Answer 3

Traditionally many martial art forms don't do this, while other do. But more and more teachers are instructing their students to do this because it prevents wear on the knees and hips: pivot the foot that is on the ground while kicking, so that those toes are pointing in the opposite direction of the leg that is kicking. This applies to all kicks except the back kick. And the front kicks you will only pivot the foot about half way.

Bonus: you get more reach and power too as it helps putting your whole body into the kick

Answer 4

Check and see if you have a scoliosis in your spine. I was a black belt in 1988. I had problems with high kicks and could never get it just right no matter how hard I tried. About year 2000, I learned about my spine which prevented it. I have not trained since 1990. Good luck.

Answer 5

it would help if you specified which type of kick..... for the side kick the previous poster is aboslutely correct