When kicking, why can I not keep my leg straight?

I recently started practicing martial arts (Kung Fu) and while I realise that technique, posture and balance will all improve with time my kicks are suffering from something and I think I will have to do something beyond regular practice to improve.

When I lift my leg to perform the waist-high kicks in Tan Tui I have no chance of reaching high enough while keeping my leg straight. If I keep my leg straight I can barely get it 5" off the ground.

At that point, there is a stretch in my upper gastrocnemius (or lower hamstring, I feel it in tendons at the back of the knee joint) and I feel tension rather high up in my front thigh. I can hold the position for probably 3-5 seconds before my leg starts shaking.

Now I suspect I need to work on both flexibility in my calves and strength in my thighs, does this sound right? And, is there anyone out there who have overcome this problem who can share some strength/exercise routine that worked?

Thanks!

When kicking, why can I not keep my leg straight?home theater

try stretching everyday

When kicking, why can I not keep my leg straight?comedy club opera theater

Yes, I have a similar problem: my legs are very tight and inflexible, and so I cannot extend my leg completely straight. Work on stretching your whole body....but after you have had a warmup or after your workout. Hamstring stretch would be seated, stretching your hands towards your toes (seated rather than standing reduces pressure on your back). Another hamstring stretch is to lie in a doorframe and make an L with your legs: the leg you're stretching should lean against the doorframe, while the other leg is resting on the ground. Calf/gastrocnemious....stand close to a wall and put your foot agaist it so your toes are pulled back and upwards towards your body. Or, stand on a step, etc with your heels hanging off. It sounds like you've been working on your stretching, but it make take time and more stretching to see results. I stretch a little before and a lot after running, and still continue to be tight. Some degree of tightness comes from being strong and having those muscles contract. You just want enough flexibility to move joints and muscles easily during a workout, and not so tight that injuries occur.
hi there you are on your way to kicking straight. flexibility

strengthing your knee. is a good start. those muscles in the knee need to be worked on, hamstring is tuff, do not forget to stretch before and after all workouts, very important

peace

carol