Problem with Kicks from Weak Side

[Storm0266]

I studied TKD for approximately 6 years, transitioned to kick boxing, then boxing before taking some time off. Now, I have been out of the gym/dojang for almost ten years. I started to train again and hope to reach the level I was at prior but heres the problem. I am right handed and have great execution of any strike coming off my right side. The left side sucks with the exception of my jab. Kicks are absolutely horrendous. I always had a problem with my left side. It almost as if I have no coordination or power. Can anyone recommend anything that may possibly help improve this.

Thanks a lot.

[Lone_Knight]

Man, I've got the same problem. My right leg packs a punch, but I have no coordination or power with my left. I'm assuming just kicking with your left will make it get used to it though.

[kwai chang pain]

I don't have a solution, but this may be part of your issue. It could be that your torso is out of alignment...you're longer on one side and shorter on another.

I believe Bruce Lee had that same issue. I think it's fairly common.

[GranFire]

I have pretty much the same problem, a bit aggravated as everything on my right side is starting to hurt - damned be old age!

There is only one thing you can do: Take your time, make sure the technique is correct (we all know how weakness influences that) and train more on the left, more reps on the slow focused kinds of kicks and punches. OK, that was 2 things....

Also, make sure you have the necessary core strength. Hard to believe how a set of kicks can go to your abs....

[Storm0266]

Thanks for the replies. Over the past couple of days I have been throwing additional kicks from my left side in comparison to the right (trying to keep it around 1.5 to 1 focusing exclusively on one kick until I feel comfortable enough with that). Its horrible but see how this comes along.

Does any know how many times one must throw a particular punch or kick until it becomes a learned behavior? For some reason I have 100,000 in my head but I'm not sure if that is correct.

[Liberty]

Thanks for the replies. Over the past couple of days I have been throwing additional kicks from my left side in comparison to the right (trying to keep it around 1.5 to 1 focusing exclusively on one kick until I feel comfortable enough with that). Its horrible but see how this comes along.

Does any know how many times one must throw a particular punch or kick until it becomes a learned behavior? For some reason I have 100,000 in my head but I'm not sure if that is correct.

21 days. Are you sure you meant learned and not refined behavior? If the latter as well, then break the thing down into it's component parts, along with it's beginning middle, end. Working those. Then put it back together. Also, work on isolating what aspects of it need strength training, etc.

An after-thought: Execute with your good leg, then immediatley attempt it's result with your "bad" leg. In this way you teach your bad leg to pick up things from your good leg. Just try it a few times, you'll see what I mean. Then go from there. And be patient.

[Earl Weiss]

>>>An after-thought: Execute with your good leg, then immediatley attempt it's result with your "bad" leg. In this way you teach your bad leg to pick up things from your good leg. Just try it a few times, you'll see what I mean. Then go from there. And be patient.<<

I agree, but with this refinement. It's harder to learn if fatigued. So, only 2 2 o3 good ones with the good side and then try the wek side. Have someone watch you and perhaps explain what you are doing differently. Train the bad side with double the reps of the good side so long as you are not fatigued. If fatigued you wiull not improve. You will only reinforce / develop bad habits. Rest and then try some more.

[nih]

My master says that himself (6th dan), do double rep or 1.5 more on the weak side for every technique that is weak. So go for it

[FLMKane]

Practice. I practiced SO hard...that I became left legged.