How to improve my performance in martial arts?

I%26#039;ve noticed lately that I can%26#039;t really kick high and strong enough when I%26#039;m practicing martial arts, maybe because my leg flexibility is very poor.





So I%26#039;d like to know how to improve this. Should I just focus on doing stretches every day? Is there any other exercise I should do?|||First stretch, then stretch even more by swinging ( not kicking ) your leg up as high as you can. It may hurt but its good. Now try kick and only try high kicks fast and swiftly without tripping or falling down.





Once you do that stretch one more time (not that much)





You should be able to kick higher but remember to kick swiftly, not doing so will just make it weak and will also may make you lose your balance.|||I had this problem. I would stretch in the morning when I woke up, then practice my technique, then stretch when I was finished. This is because after you work out, your muscles contract, so you need to stretch again. Also, practice your teechnique, speed can only come once you have the technique correct and have enough flexibility and strength. Hold onto a wall, and practice your technique. In a side kick, I would hold onto a wall, chamber, then stick, chamber, stick, chamber, etc. Also do this while kicking above something like the back of a chair or desk to make sure you don%26#039;t cheat yourself and don%26#039;t chamber before you put your foot down. Don%26#039;t worry, flexibility and speed will come in time. Try theses websites:


http://74.200.201.170/public/485.cfm?sd=...





http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...





http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...





http://www.martialarts-101.com/martial_a...





http://www.taekwondomalaysia.com/Downloa...





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3BCI5SZR...





Hope I helped and don%26#039;t give up|||Do some dynamics stretch for example: High Kicks, Straight High Kicks, side kick raise and Single leg raise.





You can do some weight training to increase your flexibility.





Good Mornings, Deadlifts and Hamstring Curls are great exercise for the hamstring ( Flexible hamstring is the best way to improve the High kick and the front Splits.)|||in tournaments and kumite a kick at the high of the stomach is perfectly valid.


i would focus on strength and putting your hip into it more, by pivoting on your supporting foot, kicking through the target.


also stretch a lot|||for higher kicks you need to be flexible i can do splits and its very useful to be flexible and for power check and see how your form is you maybe doing it wrong