Martial Arts Kicks: Martial Arts 360 Crescent Kick

The 360 Crescent Kick is an advanced martial arts kick which requires great explosiveness, body control, and technique to be properly executed. By adding resistance, provided by Kbands, to the martial arts kick, martial artists can focus on building strength in the hips and glutes, while building muscle memory to aid in the proper execution and explosiveness of the martial arts 360 Crescent Kick.

While the martial arts 360 Crescent Kick is challenging with resistance it is important to always practice proper form. Having strict form will pay off with training as proper muscles are utilized and trained to powerfully and explosively execute the martial arts kick.

Utilizing resistance during training has many advantages over non resistance training. By forcing muscles to work harder during training martial artists will see gains in quickness and power in a much shorter time. This increase in power can lead to better execution of other aerial martial arts kicks.

Martial Arts 360 Crescent Kick: Set up of the Martial Arts Kick

To properly execute the 360 Crescent Kick martial artists will need a set of Kbands, enough space to properly execute the martial arts kick, and a partner or coach to offer feedback on form and technique. Martial artists will attach the Kbands securely above the knees, and assume a traditional sparring stance to begin the martial arts kick.

If a martial artist finds the green resistance bands to be to much resistance the martial artists may utilize the red resistance bands. The red resistance bands provide slightly less tension then the green resistance bands. A martial artist may begin with the red bands and progress to exclusively using the green bands.

Partner supervising the martial arts kick should be at or above the skill level of the participant executing the 360 Crescent Kick. Partner needs to watch body alignment and watch key body parts like the shoulders, head, and hips to ensure the martial arts kick is performed correctly.

Martial Arts 360 Crescent Kick: Execution of the Martial Arts Kick

With the Kbands attached martial artists will begin from a traditional spring stance. From the starting position martial artists will begin the 360 Crescent Kick by explosively driving their knee into the air. At this point in the martial arts kick it is important for martial artists to resist the urge to spin or rotate the body. In order to achieve the maximum height on the 360 Crescent Kick, martial artists need to focus on driving the knee and pushing through the resistance provided by the Kbands.

This point in the 360 Crescent Kick is where the full benefits of the Kbands can be utilized. By driving the knee and pushing through the resistance, martial artists are able to achieve greater muscle activation than un-resisted training. By activating larger portions of the muscle during resistance training more power and speed can be utilized by the martial artist during un-resisted sets of the 360 Crescent Kick.

Once the martial artists has the knee in the air, martial artists will need to turn their head and spot their target, all while quickly twisting the hips. For the final stage of the 360 Crescent Kick martial artists will finish the martial arts kick by fully extending their leg.

The martial arts 360 Crescent Kick should be performed for equal number of repetitions from each side of the body. 2-3 sets of 5 resisted repetitions of the 360 Crescent Kick will be executed with each leg. 45-90 seconds of rest should be given between sets of the 360 Crescent Kick. Proper rest should be given between sets in order for the martial artists to be explosive and execute the martial arts kick with proper form and technique. 

The main goal of the resisted 360 Crescent Kick is to help build power and explosiveness in the martial arts kick. If a martial artist is to fatigued to properly execute the martial arts kick form and technique will begin to break down. This breakdown in form will result in wasted training time if an athlete is struggling through a drill in which he is not activating the correct muscles, or achieving a good range of motion.

Martial Arts 360 Crescent Kick: Form and Technique

The resistance provided by the Kbands will provide long term strength in the hips and legs. The resistance will aid martial artists in proper execution of the martial arts 360 Crescent Kick. By adding resistance to the 360 Crescent Kick, martial artists are forced to keep the body in proper alignment as they perform the martial arts kick. While executing the martial arts 360 Crescent Kick martial artists need to focus on driving their knee through the resistance and not allowing the knee or body to fall out of proper alignment during the execution of the 360 Crescent Kick.

Proper body position and timing are crucial to the proper execution of the 360 Crescent Kick. The resistance provided by Kbands will force martial artists to think about their body positioning as they work against the resistance. Strengthening the muscles also allows for better body control throughout the martial arts kick. As muscles become stronger and the athlete becomes more comfortable with the resisted 360 Crescent Kick, their un-resisted martial arts kicks will experience gains in power and explosiveness. This added power can be a great advantage for a martial artist in competition.

Utilizing resistance is an excellent tool for athletes who do not posses the leg strength or explosiveness to properly execute the 360 Crescent Kick. By utilizing plyometric and explosive drills from KbandsTraining.com younger martial artists can begin to strengthen the legs, hips, and muscles associated with explosive power.