Throwing powerful kicks at the head level is EASY... providing you're willing to invest some time in a few basic principles and techniques.

The first thing you need to know about throwing high kicks is that you need to aim high to kick high. This may sound like silly advice but most of my students over the years, that have had trouble kicking high, never really tried to push the barriers of their flexibility. They always worked within their limitations. The only way to achieve more, be more, and succeed more is to set your sights on a target that is beyond your immediate reach. Incidentally, this lesson for throwing high kicks can be applied to anything in life!

Here are 5 tips that will help you achieve powerful kicks at the head level and beyond:

1. Time: You must work on your flexibility daily. It doesn't take a big investment of time, but it does take an investment. 5-10 minutes a day will make a big difference
2. Stretching: You need to make sure you're doing proper stretching. You'll need to do a combination of static stretching (getting into a position and holding it for more than 10 seconds) and dynamic stretching (swinging your legs in a smooth motion).
3. Strengthening: Increasing your flexibility is only one small part to improve the height of your kicks. You need to develop the muscular strength to effectively pick up your leg and throw the kick at the height you want. A simple way to improve this is to practise slow kicks. You can do this by holding onto a wall or placing your hand on a chair for balance, chamber your knee as high as you can in side kick position and do 10 slow kicks. Repeat the process for roundhouse and hook kicks. You might need a break in between each set at first but eventually you`ll want to do 10 side, 10 hook, and 10 roundhouse kicks without putting your foot down. Final point...slow kicks mean SLOW. Too many people rush the kicks. Do your kicks on a 4 count. 1 - chamber your knee - 2 and 3 extend your leg - 4 retract your leg into the chambered position.
4. Targetting: Depending on the type of kick you are trying to throw your targetting method may vary but knee position will always remain a big factor. Make sure you chamber your kick with your knee as high as you can. The higher you can chamber your kick with your knee up, the higher you will be able to kick. For example when trying to perform a roundhouse kick your knee should point where you want the kick to go. If you knee is only coming up to your waist level...then the kick will not go any higher. If you can point your knee towards your opponents head all you have to do is extend the leg!
5. Aim Higher: Whenever you set the height for your target go to your maximum height. Throw a number of kicks at that level and then raise the bar. Even if it means you miss for a while throw a number of kicks trying to strike the target at the new height. Eventually you will get there!

When working on your kicks keep in mind that kicking at someones head level is not a natural act for humans...otherwise everyone would be able to do it without any effort. It will take some time and effort just like anything in life that`s worth investing in, but you can do it so long as you`re determined, patient, and disciplined!

John McMahon