Matsumura Seito practitioner here!

[Kindy]

Hi fellow MA practitioners!

I found this forum searching for tips for stronger kicks.
I'm kinda surprised, but pleased, that forums are still a thing and hope I can learn and share in this nice community here!

I'm French and studied Shotokan Karate from white to black belt (Shodan) in France.
Then, I decided to start training abroad when travelling. I guess I was also looking for the input of other styles at this point.
Which led me to a week in Okinawa: short but memorable stay in the birthplace of Karate, with classes in Minoru Higa Hanshi's Kyudokan Hombu dojo, seeing a tournament in the Karate Kaikan, visiting karate historical places...
And I wanted not to waste time when spending 2 or 3 months a year away from my usual dojo in France. I trained in a Shito Ryu dojo in SoCal during Summer 2019, the nearest dojo to my accomodation.
Then right after covid, I was back in SoCal, in the Coachella Valley, during Summer 2021 but I thought I'd be more intentional with the choice of the dojo. And found a great "traditional" dojo with a great Sensei.
So much so that I switched style!
Since then I've been travelling there back and forth (I spend almost 5 months a year there), studying Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu Karate, Kobudo and White Crane (Flying Crane, and Liu Chang I's Feeding Crane). Training on my own while in my country.
It's been a blast, and I've made so much progress! I passed the test for Sandan last year, and hope to do this until the "end".

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

 

[Holmejr]

Welcome Kindy!
We have a varied group here with varied backgrounds and varied opinions. What an adventurous background you have! Feel free to interject your insights,thoughts and opinions here.

 

[Tony Dismukes]

Welcome to MartialTalk!

 

[Buka]

Welcome to Martial Talk, Kindy.

 

[Kindy]

Thank you! Happy to be here!

 

[isshinryuronin]

Nice to have another Okinawan stylist here. You've had the good fortune of exposure to several traditions. Enjoy your continuing journey.

 

[SahBumNimRush]

Hello, and welcome to MT!

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

Welcome! Was there a specific issue you had with your kicks?

 

[Kindy]

isshinryuronin I'm definitely glad I went outside of my comfort zone. Thank you!​

​

SahBumNimRush Thank you!
​

Monkey Turned Wolf They just feel weak, lacking strength and kime.
I'm a small frame woman so I don't expect my kicks to be as strong as my male counterparts but I've been neglecting them while getting significantly stronger with my punches and open hand techniques in the last 3 years.​

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

searching for tips for stronger kicks.

Try to find a leg size young tree for your kicking target.

 

[Kindy]

Thank you Kung Fu Wang
What I'm planning to do is start working on a heavy bag, since I bought one (big standing heavy bag) for my new place.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Thank you Kung Fu Wang
What I'm planning to do is start working on a heavy bag, since I bought one (big standing heavy bag) for my new place.

Small target can be good for accuracy. To draw a fist size circle on your heavy bag can be helpful.

 

[Kindy]

Got it!

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

Monkey Turned Wolf They just feel weak, lacking strength and kime.​

I'm a small frame woman so I don't expect my kicks to be as strong as my male counterparts but I've been neglecting them while getting significantly stronger with my punches and open hand techniques in the last 3 years.​

Is this all kicks, or just specific ones (ie: front ball kick/roundhouse kick)? And do you think the issue is with your actual physical strength, or that you're not transferring your strength properly?

If it's an issue with not transferring strength properly (ie: technique) we have a members in motion section; I'd recommend posting yourself drilling your kicks on there, so people can give you specific recommendations.