What are some ways to practise my kicks out of my dojang?

Question

Its only me and Marfy (thats my pug) at home so I can't really use my taekwondo paddle (which requires someone to hold onto it) to practise. However, I would still like to kick something (it just feels so satisfying!) while my mom's in Beijing! My home is rather small and cannot fit in a punching bag and my mom already said "no" to drilling a hole in the ceiling and attaching a speed bag. What should I do? My dojang is also going under renovation soon :(

Thanks :)

P.S. No, I cannot possibly tie up the paddle. I've tried...and succeeded miserably (the paddle went swinging off the string and my foot nearly hit my wardrobe).

Answer 1

My friend used to hang a tennis ball with shoe laces and a sock in his room for practice. but that will require a bit of drilling too.



Instead of practicing to hit something (which you can do in class) why not practice to perfect your kicking form? a big miror would be nice for that. Being flat it will not eat up space, just be careful not to hit or fall into it.



A light from a table lamp can also be an option. if located low, it can project your shadow into a blank wall where you can see if you are doing the moves correctly.





Out of topic - Why focus only on kicking now that you can see the limitations of the technique in a tight location? If your learning for self-defence, you should have effective techniques that you can use there inside you home, in a tight hall, stairs, or slippery ground.



Think real, 'cause life is real, and cannot be bought back once its lost.

Answer 2

Having an actual target to kick is very important for developing power. I wish more training facilities had them. They do make a bag called the wavemaster and is produced by Century Martial Arts ( www.centurymartialarts.com ) and they come in various sizes. The bonus is that they have a base on them you fill with sand or water thus never having to drill holes in anything. Now that being said you may not have room for it, I don't know you will have to check them out and see if their sizes are a problem, they come in various widths too. If you are really serious about training and I do mean REALLY serious about training you might look into the Focus Master 3000. That is by far the best training device I have ever used for practicing kicks. Its expensive, but it is well worth the money. It has arms on it that can be changed out and various striking pads that will allow you to practice combination kicks at speed and power, something very difficult to do on a regular bag and a paddle.



If none of these things work and if you have access to trees you could build a striking pad from several layers of thick closed cell foam (like the sleeping pads used in camping mats) and lots of duct tape and then attach straps to them to tie to the tree and strike that. You could then put it on and take it off when ever you want.



I know what your going through as I have had that same problem, but don't fret as it will find its solution. Have fun and train hard.

Answer 3

Try attaching a ping pong ball to a string. Hang it from the ceiling with a piece of tape ( so it can be removed easily). Make the string long enough for the ball to hang down to your kicking range. Try to make the ball move WITHOUT touching it. The idea is to come as close as possible at full power / speed and the wind from your technique make it move. This will improve your "aim" with your kicks. It teaches how to place your kicks exactly on your target not just a general area. It also helps with precise control of your technique.

This can be done for all your kicks and punches as well. Try it at various heights.

Answer 4

Why don't you try some drills that are different from what you do in the Dojo? For example, balance drills will improve your kicking dramatically. Starting in a front stance, slowly bring the rear foot up to center with the knee as high as you can get it. Hold this position with your hands in fighting position for a 10 count. No waving your arms to steady yourself. Now, extend the kicking foot into position for a front snap kick. Get your foot extended and your toes curled. Hold for 10 seconds. Retract the kicking foot to the other knee. keep it up and hold again. Extend to kicking position and try to get a little higher. Hold, retract, hold and put your foot down. Repeat 10 times with each foot. Do a couple of full speed kicks at the end of each set. Start in a front stance and kick with the rear foot. For a side piecing kick or any kick that requires a pivot, modify the drill so the planted foot does the pivot when the kick goes out. This really helped me with my round house kicks.



For crescent kicks, try starting in a rear foot stance. Step into a good, wide, extended front stance and launch a nice kick. Crescents are hard to do slowly, so break down the set up as best as you can, then do the kick.



I also practice single and double stepping kicks to improve my sparring.

Answer 5

Do you have a yard? Are you in a complex with a gym? If you are then go to the gym and kick the punching bag there if they have one. If you have a tree you can hang your ball from there. If not, then I guess the tennis ball is your best bet. If you're really desperate, you can take your couch pillows or bed pillows and stack them against a wall in the floor and kick that.



FYI - Practice is spelled with two "C"s there is no "S" in that word.

Answer 6

wad up a piece of paper, throw it in the air, then kick it on the way down. This is esp. good for

the spin back kick.

Answer 7

go to a swimming pool and practice your kicks in the pool. the water resistence is GREAT! Afterwords my kicks are REALLY snappy!