Hello, this is my first post. I am 6"2 220lbs (yes when I compete I cut weight). I am currently getting ready to test for my 1st DAN in Taekwondo. As you can tell from my height, I have long legs, very long to be more precise. Over 3 feet long. I am what you would call in better shape than the average being given the fact that I am in the Army and I run 3-4 times a week and work out daily. My question and issue is do any of you out their have a problem ( those of you who are tall like myself or taller) with your kicking technique. Speed and flexibility are my downfall. I currently ordered and watched Secrets of Stretching and Power High Kicks With no Warm UP, great flicks. I also Stretching Scientifically and think that Tom Kurz is excellent at what he does. He has shown me how to improve alot. However, I just do not see alot of tall individuals out their.
Do any of you who are tall have a problem with flexibility or Kicking technique? Don't get me wrong, I am pretty good, however I know that I can always be better. Everyone I have seen In the pictures of Tom Kurz's books are short. Anyone out their over 6 foot?
LONG LEGS
I'm 6"1 195 pounds and my kicks, flexibility and balance are pretty good. I can get into a flat front split with both legs in about five minutes of relaxed stretches. My side split comes and goes but I can get down into a full side split if I wanted to with a long training and isometric workout. I can comfortably kick to my head height with all my kicks including side kick and roundhouse kick.
Also Stephen Lopez, gold medal olympic champion, is about 6"2 and around 180 pounds and he seems very flexible. I have not seen any of his matches but im sure if he is a gold medalist then his kicks must be solid.
I attribute my current athletic level to working hard to stretch and train my entire body, not just my legs. I've noticed with tall guys like us that we are just so stiff in the beginning but after a while of doing excercises like bridges and shoulder & neck rotations, my body just started to relax and it made it much easier to relax for kicks and stretches. I also do alot of body weight excercises to help strengthen and stretch the body at the same time.
I too am also going for my 1st dan black belt test in Tae Kwon Do this April and wish you good luck.
Also Stephen Lopez, gold medal olympic champion, is about 6"2 and around 180 pounds and he seems very flexible. I have not seen any of his matches but im sure if he is a gold medalist then his kicks must be solid.
I attribute my current athletic level to working hard to stretch and train my entire body, not just my legs. I've noticed with tall guys like us that we are just so stiff in the beginning but after a while of doing excercises like bridges and shoulder & neck rotations, my body just started to relax and it made it much easier to relax for kicks and stretches. I also do alot of body weight excercises to help strengthen and stretch the body at the same time.
I too am also going for my 1st dan black belt test in Tae Kwon Do this April and wish you good luck.
"If you love life do not waste time because time is what life is made of"-Bruce Lee