That's why I think not doing the flying side kick is the progressive thing. I think after a certain age and weight, the flying side kick becomes more of a liability. That's how most things are in life. Skate board tricks as a teen and in your 20's are fine. But as you get older, the skate board tricks that you were once good at become a liability. People tend to lose flexibility and endurance as they get older so Older people are more likely to train things that make the fight end quicker, because they know that the longer the fight goes, the bigger the disadvantage will get.
I started TKD when I was 31, that's OLD already. I knew my limits, that I have to stretch to do high side and round kicks, these are not going to help in street fight, you cannot tell the guy......WAIT!!! Let me warm up first before we fight!!!
So at the time, I decided to put a lot of effort in punching and front kicks instead of the fancier kicks even I was learning TKD. I said I cannot do flying kicks, I really did not try that hard. After tried a few times, I just laughed it off. If I felt it's important, I would go to the end of the world to achieve it.
Speaking of what I think is important. I feel punching is very important. I spent a lot of time in practicing it. I responded in another Wing Chung thread about coordinating the foot, heel, legs, hip, waist and shoulder to focus at one point, Very similar to the concept of Chinkuchi of Okinawa Karate to synchronize the body. I practice a lot those days and I was quite good using it in punching. Since I quit, I still do bag work all these years. BUT I just went through the motion. Lately, I found I LOST IT all together.
Remember you showed a video of doing it in slow motion. That really rang the bell on me that I have to go back TO BASIC starting like how I started the first time, do it slow, do it light, take the time. It's been over two months, I still starting out like this at least for a few minutes and practice the punching back. I can only get the feel of Chinkuchi on and off after over two months( more off than on!!!).
that video you did was important to me.
Point is if I really feel I need to practice flying kicks, I would go to the world's end to do it like I am trying to get back the punches. I don't even consider side kick is that practical even I could do it really good at the time. Why do I want to even use flying kicks?