How to add power to your kicks?

Hey all... I don't study Muay Thai (though i'd like to, but I live out in the sticks and the instructors are a long way), I study combat hapkido. The thing about it is that I am encouraged by my instructors to add in things and that it's sort of an evolving art for each person. I feel the Thai kicks are obviously powerful and would be a good addition to my studies. I know literally nothing about the kicks. I feel like I may have the stance almost correct as well as the hip turning.

My questions are, aside from just kicking over and over, what is a good way to add power to the kicks? In my art, all kicks are to be kept below the waist for the obvious reason you have less chance to get your foot caught.

My other question would be, what do you all do for shin conditioning? I hear a lot of myths about it, but i'd rather just hear it straight from people who do it on a regular basis. I am going to buy a stand up WM XXL because a hanging bag will be to loud and shake the whole house and I have a baby coming so I don't need to wake him up if possible.

So, how many kicks per day do you all do? If i'm starting out, what is a good way to progress along? I work from home so I have a lot of time.

Also, are their good leg kick combinations to practice? Inside and then outside leg kick back and forth? Open to whatever suggestions.

 

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKdoj8srBz0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKdoj8srBz0[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CystnfGVE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CystnfGVE[/ame]

 

I always thought Rob Kaman could get a little more pivot on his supporting leg.
I mean obviously he kicks hard but his foot is pretty static.

 

Then there is this from a God amongst Men......

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYvyn8wG8QI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYvyn8wG8QI[/ame]

 

Hahah...I just criticised Rob Kamen. Get me.

This is awesome. Love the last 30 seconds. So fluid.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB3yvue-aiE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB3yvue-aiE[/ame]

Oh and note how much the arms play a part in helping build power and transitioning between kicks.

 

When I think of the low kick I think of 4 ways of throwing it.
I call these ways "stationary", "step", "skip" and "sprint". The 4 S's.
"Stationary" is throwing a kick straight of. No footwork. Only really useful if your opponent is closing distance for you.
"Step" is what Baz and Kamen do. Setting the hips and moving the bodyweight.
"Skip" is what Buakaw is doing. A more ballistic type of step with spring from the feet, ankles and calves.
And "sprint" is a full on running kick like taking a penalty kick. Where your feet actually cross each other in a striding pattern. USeful for chasing down a stunned opponent or kicking really deep into his stance to reap a supporting leg.
Fanny about with those in a bag and see which you like.

 

SiB,

Pay close attention to the footwork in each of those clips. There's a step through the target in each case that may be even more important than hip rotation. (In fact, Bas Rutten explicitly says as much. He's well known for not espousing the hip turn.) They step into each kick. But here's where logging the time on the heavy bag comes in. Step too far and you snuff the momentum of your own kick. Don't step far enough and you limit the penetration through the target. Get it right, and you'll have a good solid kick. Whether you emphasize the hip rotation or no.

 

a question on the first video:

Do you feel like when he kicks and his hands go down that leaves a lot of gap for a punch or counter shot or is the opponent going to be more worried about actually trying to avoid or check the kick?

 

One thing to notice is that Rutten explains how to kick one way and then proceeds to kick another way when he kicks with power.
He steps for sure but he also pivots on his foot even though he says not to do that.

 

A couple of things can prevent the counter shot.
The opposite hand comes up to the forehead and the kicking side shoulder raises up to protect the other side.
The arm that sweeps back as the kick comes out can also disrupt and interfere with a counter too.
But there is an avenue for a counter punch and a straight right is a common counter to a low kick.

For me it's a compromise. I can kick with a good guard and attempt to pre-empt a counter but lose some power or get my arms involved lose some defence but really lace that kick in.
Sometimes I'll favour one more than the other.

 

I think that is a bi-product of the movement - Bas is pointing out that pivoting gives an incorrect mechanical alignment as it places you straight in front

 

As I said above I feel he is showing the step AS thr pivot...the movement takes you into the pivot rather than vice versa

 

You can try....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67qcX5MIKNM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67qcX5MIKNM[/ame]

Kaman had 112 professional fights 97 wins, with 72 by way of KO and he also won his only MMA match.

Dude knows his stuff!

 

Another thing is don't extend your toes. To generate more power keep your foot at a 90 degree angle from your shin. Ala Cro-Cop style.

 

I'm glad to hear that actually. I'm not a fan of kicking without pivot. I had another kickboxing coach try and get me into a similar habit. Liked him a lot. Not such a big fan of the kicking approach.

 

One of the videos I had watched a while back had the guy putting his elbow up and sort of wrapping his arm around his face is the best way to explain it. It seemed like a good idea for protection though.

I'm looking for the video, but I can't find it atm.

 

I was actually going to say, even though i'm no one to comment on someone such as Bas' technique, that if you twisted the wrong way or just got hit there, it might open up the possibility for more damage to your own knee... especially if one is prone to bad knees to begin with.