2023-07-26

Teaching my regular classes at the Ross Farnsworth - East Valley YMCA.

Tonight was side-kick night in the adult class. Some students had never done them before and some had only done them a couple of times, so we were essentially starting from scratch. We began by using the ballet bar attached to the wall for balance, holding on with one hand while kicking with the opposite leg. I didn’t allow anyone to kick any higher than their own knee for starters, since most people try to kick too high before they have the proper form. Otherwise, it was just repetition after repetition, stressing the differences between the two kicks:

• Side snap kick:

  • The knee chambers sideways, towards the target.
  • The contact surface is the side of the heel.
  • The angle of attack is an upward arc, with the kicking hip moving upward.
  • The leg is pulled back immediately.

• Side thrust kick

  • The knee chambers forward at 90° to the target.
  • The contact surface is the bottom of the heel.
  • The angle of attack is into the target, with the kicking hip moving towards the target.
  • The leg is allowed to “linger” on the target for a moment.