Coach Samantha

tion for speed and power. In order to have a strong and quick kick, you must also have great technique.

How to: Throw a Front (Snap) Kick

It is officially time to move to lower body techniques. This month I am going to review the front (snap) kick. When speaking about front kicks, there are two types that we use in class: snap and thrust/ power. The snap kick is used for speed. It is a quick kick that is typically followed by a combo.

As always, a quick review: Why does technique matter? Clean technique ensures safety; improper positioning can be damaging as it can led to hurt joints or pulled muscles. Technique is also the founda-

For every kick, there are four basic steps: chamber, extend, chamber, down. The following breakdown will assist you in developing your front kick:

Step One (Fig. 1 & 2):

As with punches, you begin in your guarding stance - hands up protecting your face (fig. 1). For this example, we will use our lead leg for the snap kick: Shift your weight onto your back leg, then lift your leg with your knee bent to create your chamber (fig. 2).

Step Two (Fig. 3):

From your chamber, extend your leg toward the bag. With the snap kick, it is the ball of your foot that makes contact with the bag (fig. 3).

Step Three (Fig. 4):

Next, retract your kick back into the chamber (fig. 4). The reason for bringing your kick back into the chamber is to maintain balance and control over your technique.

Step Four (Fig. 5):

To complete the technique, you want to place your foot back into position of your guarding stance (fig. 5).

The most important thing to remember, with any technique, is that form is the most important aspect - more important than speed and power.

Once you have the technique, then we will add the speed.

Practice the snap kick at home or even on the bag before your next class. If you ever want to go over the snap kick or any other technique, ask any coach in the club.

Start in guarding stance - hips are more square to the bag than usual.

Shift your weight onto your back leg, then chamber your leg.

Extend your leg and kick the bag using the ball of your foot.

Retract your kick back into the chamber.

Place your foot back into position of your guarding stance.