V Stretch This is a great stretch for warming up before kicking. Lie on your back on a mat with your legs raised toward the ceiling, feet together. Keeping your back flat against the floor, lower your legs to the sides as far as you can. You may place your hands on the floor, or on your inner thighs for balance. Hold for 15 seconds. Butterfly Stretch Sit with your knees bent, then lower them to the sides and bring the soles of your feet together. Push your knees as far as you can toward the ground. If you can, lean forward and place your elbows on the floor in front of you, bowing your head toward your hands. Hold for 15 seconds. Abductor Stretch This stretch helps to increase both kick height and range. Stand sideways next to a wall. Fully raise the arm closest to the wall and press it into the wall. Lean your hip into the wall and cross the leg nearest the wall behind your other leg. Hold for 15 seconds, then switch sides. Lunging Side Stretch Stand with your feet about 4 feet apart, your left foot slightly pointed in and your right foot at a 90-degree angle. Bend at the waist to the right, extending your right arm to the floor and placing your right palm next to the inside of your foot. At the same time, bend your right knee so that your leg forms a 90-degree angle and reach your left arm over your head. Hold for 15 seconds then switch sides. Y Stretch From a sitting position, point your stomach toward the mat and extend your arms to the floor toward the left to keep your chest raised. Extend both of your legs out in front of you. Then, bring your right leg back and straighten it as far as you can so that your legs look like open scissors. Hold for 15 seconds then switch sides.