nayr01

any body know any good stretches for kicking or to be able to knee higher?

Crashsti

you ask a question that is'nt so simple. motions such as kicking and knees are very dynamic and not only require flexibility but also strength throughout the range of motion. for any of those skills to be effective you have to be able to control the movement. some would suggest basic stretches that you may have learned during school. such as trying to touch the floor with you palms or sitting on you rear with your legs in a V and reaching out to your toes and then in the center. another option is to just continue to practice the kicks and knees and gradually work your way higher.

Goeth27

At minimal I stretch 2 times a day, usually 3 and I don't think just by stretching I will be able to kick higher personally.


I think your best bet would be practicing high kicks and taking some classes, that's what those classes are for.

sitnspin

I have a good stretch for the hips & groin area, but it's too hard to explain. I'm waiting for a friend who knows her yoga well to email me back with its proper name so I can google for a picture.

Edit: Okay, it's called "pigeon" (don't ask me why).



Your back leg is straight back, you can see how the front leg is, and you're pushing the bottom of your pelvis down into the mat. It stretches the top of your back leg really nicely. Keep your torso up straight, and don't over-arch your back. After a 30 count, switch legs.

The variation of this is to do the same pose but drape your upper body over the front leg so you're resting your head on your forearms. Now you're getting a stretch of your glute too. Again, after 30, switch legs.

I've been doing this one regularly for quite a while, and it's definitely made me more flexible towards doing the splits.

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SmashingMachine

I like to combine static and dynamic stretching. Sits gotta stretch above and Crash's right too that you need to strengthen throughout the range too. I used to do an exercise called "sticky foot." You kick to a height, like on a bag, and hold it in place a few seconds after your foot makes contact with the bag. then you gradually "climb the tree," kicking higher and higher. I also use one of those hip abductor machines for stretching.

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Crashsti

there is a differance between between flexibility and MMA specific flexibilty. take BJ Penn for example. he is crazy flexible and can even bring his leg behind his head without using his hands. this is not a feat you will be able to perform just by doing static stretches 3 times a day. there is also the possibility of injury with excessive static stretching especially before a stressful event like grappling or sprinting. the idea being that through static stretching you lengthen the muscle and it does'nt fully return to its natural length. there is "slack" in the line so to say. it'd be like connecting a trailer to a truck with a piece of rope, its not going to be able to control to motion.