Snap Kicks

Snap kicks, front kicks, or whatever you want to call them are common in
most martial arts. However the principles are different according to the art
you study. Now I know I'll probably tread on some egos here but snap kicks
executed in a hard style manner can cause a lot of problems. Now I'm not an
expert in all martial arts only my own but I do know a little about most forms.
I do know that it is a common practice in most hard style martial arts to
fully extend the leg in a snapping motion while executing front kicks. This
causes a couple of problems. The first being that it will eventually wear
out the knee joint. It may even cause an immediate hyperextension of the knee.
This will put you out. The other problem is that it will generally pull the
hamstring. This can be very painful and will also keep you from training.

Proper execution of snap kicks, however, will benefit you in several ways.
Mainly it will work the muscles in the supporting leg.

All kicks, if done properly, are done with the supporting leg. This is the
leg that really does all of the work. For speed and power and a great workout
concentrate on the supporting leg. Cardio Karaticise™ is a great calf
muscle exercise. It will really tone all of the leg muscles.

First rule. When your foot leaves the ground it pushes. You will want to
pull your kicks but really they must be pushed. Concentrate on using your
calf muscle as your foot leaves the ground. Your toes should give a final
push also. This will tuck the lower leg in nice and tight which will allow
the kick to snap out on execution.

Second. The knee must continue to rise throughout the kick. If the knee stops
it will hyperextend, causing problems. If the knee were to straighten completely
as the kick rises, this is what we would call a ballistic motion. It pulls
against the hamstring and could cause injury. However if the knee continues
to rise throughout the motion of the kick and never goes more than 3/4 extension,
the knee and hamstring will not be in jeopordy. The other benefit is that
to keep the knee rising you must use the supporting leg. The supporting leg
must be slightly bent to allow the hips to rock into the kick. This will focus
on the thigh and calf muscle of the supporting leg. If you do these correctly
it will be your supporting leg that feels the burn at the end of the exercise.

If you are using multiple kicks, and I'm sure you are. Make sure that when
your foot touches the ground that the calf muscle cushions the impact. Set
down on the ball of the foot and let the calf muscleact like a spring. Absorbing
the impact and using it to push off again.