http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWr6YSXHm3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWr6YSXHm3Q
I know the angle is bad. But I live in a very small apartmart and there's barely any place to train at home.

here's an idea: don't swing it like Chuck Norris.:new_black

Yes I have a heavy bag. That is an older video. I'll post up a vid of me hitting the heavy bag once I practice again.

Relax, take a deep breath and relax your body. They way you are kicking is forcing your body to work against its self. I did this for years, eventually I relaxed and the kicks became harder on their own.

Also looked like you had a single Thai pad. I am not sure why those damn things are even sold alone. Get another one and look in a book or two at ways to hold them properly.
I promise more when I am more awake J
Later,
Zyph

I see what it is! I watched it over and over and could not place what I saw was wrong. Then I had it. You are kicking at the target not through it. The key is to kick past the target. Roll you hips into the kick., they should be turned over before the foot hits when kicking that high. I will try to get some vids tomorrow.
Later,
Zyph

Thank you. I will keep this in mind the next time I practice.

Turn your hip in more and keep your left hand up at least if not both

edited because I don't know my right from my left

:new_cussi

Your shin also appears to be sliding up over the pads rather than continuing through them. By the time your leg hits the target it should generally be cutting across rather than continuing to gain elevation. If your hip is rolling complete over this should naturally happen.

as your shin strikes the pad your rear knee should be facing almost the opposide direction. Also its hard to tell from the video but u should be on tip toes as you pivot for the kick.

Just from the video, it seems that you take your sweet time bringing your leg back down. Now, for practicing for power, that should be fine, but you should also be practicing for speed - try to do progressively more front-rounds as quickly as possible on that heavy bag you said you had. Remember to bring your right hip over more and "swivel" on your lead foot.

Other than that, I'd say your technique is getting there, but you also need to relax more, as Zyph mentioned. By tightening your whole body like that you're just adding resistance to the speed of your kick.

Power comes from momentum, which is not just the force of your kick, it's the mass of your leg multiplied by its speed. Since the mass of you leg isn't going to change much, you should also be practicing for speed, which will give you a harder kick that is more difficult to block.

Hope that helped, "Coach."

(Here's some vids to illustrate what I mean.

Front Roundhouse instruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YpCcJ2SnDs)

Art of Thai Kicking (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWTELOTO_NQ)

Turn your hip in more and keep your right hand up at least if not both


That's really a matter of opinion, as I have been taught both, depending on the club and instructor. What most people seem to agree on is that the hand on the side with which you kick comes down for more power, the way a cat uses its tail for balance and power. This also helps turn your hips over for a proper Thai front round.

However, if you are throwing the same kick up-close, you want to modify your technique. Keep the rear hand up, and don't turn your hips as much. This brings your round(almost straight) up into your opponents ribs, while protecting your head. It's a quick kick that is found more in non-Thai kickboxing, but it can be more effective than the traditional Thai front round if you're at a loose punching range, and see an opening into your opponents ribs.

I'm sure there are those here that would disagree with me on this, but I've provided my rationale, and would always be interested in modifying my opinion on the matter if it was refuted convincingly.

You keep your head still at the apex of the kick, and also have your hand opposite to the kick way down when the kick lands. Basically, you're timing your guard movement too early, and wasting some of the counterbalancing potential while also exposing your head. I'd suggest your partner to poke at your face with the other pad to keep you honest.

Looks good but like others my have mentioned when your right shin hits the pad your left arm should be blocking you face and your right arm should be down fast your hip to help give you more power. Also your shin should hit the had at least level if not at a slightly downward angle. Keep practicing it looks good.

1. Your friend is holding the pad wrong

2. You're "prawning" as you kick.

3. The camera angle is cutting off the view, so I can't say beyond a reasonable doubt, but you do not appear to be rotating properly, especially on your left kick. However, your right kick does seem to have some power....

That's really a matter of opinion, as I have been taught both, depending on the club and instructor. What most people seem to agree on is that the hand on the side with which you kick comes down for more power, the way a cat uses its tail for balance and power. This also helps turn your hips over for a proper Thai front round.

However, if you are throwing the same kick up-close, you want to modify your technique. Keep the rear hand up, and don't turn your hips as much. This brings your round(almost straight) up into your opponents ribs, while protecting your head. It's a quick kick that is found more in non-Thai kickboxing, but it can be more effective than the traditional Thai front round if you're at a loose punching range, and see an opening into your opponents ribs.

I'm sure there are those here that would disagree with me on this, but I've provided my rationale, and would always be interested in modifying my opinion on the matter if it was refuted convincingly.
Good point, I meant his left more than anything, but you are correct, my coach teaches hands up, right arm does counter balance with a quick retraction but, back to guard asap, versus the more traditional MT approach.

original post edited

Everyone keeps saying to turn your hips into it, but here's how to do it:

Make sure your foot actually gets at least 2" above your target at its apex
leave your knee bent a tiny bit longer
let your knee pass the target just before your shin hits it
as your knee passes the target, try to point your still slightly bent knee at the ground.

This makes your shin into a different sort of weapon. What you're doing is basically just throwing a really hard chambered roundhouse and hitting with your shin - they really are two different kicks that have similar paths.