Page 51 - Beyond Basics_Neat

BEYOND BASICS

side. This is a guess at best and eventually, your guesses may
become better at estimating the weight but it’s still a trial and error
method. Even if you become great at estimating, any slight
miscalculation and the kick will be off-balance. A better more
natural method is to raise the hip to chamber the kick allowing the
torso to act as a natural counterbalance for the kick.

it’s not necessary to lift the knee to kick

Stand in a natural, shoulder width stance. The hip of the support
leg will be the rocking point. Rocking the hip over the support leg
causes the other hip to rise automatically. In other words, Along
with the Pendulum Rock, rocking the hip is to lift the hip to
chamber a side, round, or hook kick. Notice that the knee has to
rise with the rocking of the hip eliminating the need to lift the knee
first. Use that rocking action to chamber the kick.

Also notice that to rock the hip, weight must be on the supporting
leg. Rocking the hip to chamber will automatically cause the
supporting foot to pivot into its proper position for the kick.

My apologies for the stick figure drawings, but that seemed to be
the best way to illustrate how to Rock the Hip.

Foot to Target illustrates why it’s not necessary to lift the knee to
kick! The rear leg front kick is best for illustrating this concept.
When lifting the knee first and then kicking, the path of the foot is
two upward arcs. Students are taught to lift and point the knee at
the target. First upward arc! This will also cause the kick to also
move in an upward arc during the kicking action. Second upward
arc! Is that an efficient way to kick? Hopefully, you answered, No!

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