I was talking to one of my friends, an MA for like a thousand years, told me that I have to tear the ligaments or something inbetween my legs in order to stretch that far, but that it cannot be achieved by conventional stretching methods.
I think you need a new friend!
Do not heed that person's advice as it is incorrect. Tearing is injury and causes scarring and weakening. Although you can heal, it is never good for you and can lead to many problems later. I knew a fellow Taekwondo instructor many years ago who had very loose hip sockets. When he did the splits, his femur ball joint actually rotated out of the hip sockets. He was flexible, but always had problems and pain with his hips.
The human muscles, tendons, and ligaments stretch, grow, and adapt to whatever activities they are accustomed. Unless you have a previous injury, or physical condition (such as may be present in a person with cerebral palsy), you will be able to stretch your leg and groin muscles to be able to do the splits in all directions. A proper diet helps, and stretching using correct methods for ideal duration and intervals will speed up the process.
I know this because I first conditioned myself to do the splits when I was 17 years old. I am 47 now, and can still do the splits. I have taught many students how to stretch and achieve full splits as well.
The splits is a stunt that has no impact on functional skills.
I don't prefer to argue with fellow members here, or flat out disagree, but I want it to be understood that the above statement is one person's personal opinion, and it does not ring true for all aspects of the Martial Art. Kicking an opponent is a functional skill. Since there are multiple targets from head to toe, it is an individual choice if you want to condition yourself to be able to hit any of those targets or limit yourself to just the lower ones. Choosing to be able to kick an opponent in the head when they are standing up straight is a functional skill that works (and I won't even debate the issue of when or how to make it safe and effective because if you are trained to do it correctly, you know how).
Furthermore, the primary reason for stretching to do the splits is for range of movement, and better for reaching a target farther away. Even if you never kick to a point that places your legs in a full split during the kick, every bit of movement you do to lift your leg is met with resistance from muscles that are not stretched. Even lower kicks are made easier, faster, more agile between multiple kicks, and more accurate if your muscles are stretched to a further degree.
Finally, for those who prefer grappling, there are various pain holds (such as the one we affectionately called the "banana splits" in wrestling) where the opponent submits because you are spreading their legs further than their muscles allow. If you can do the splits, it is less likely that you will be forced to submit when in this hold, plus your ability to move your legs around when grappling in order to place various leg scissors and other holds would be enhanced.
The splits is not just a stunt for show - - they are an extremely functional skill for those who choose to use the legs in Self Defense. The more you stretch, the wider your range of options and the less limited you are. This is not to say that a person cannot effectively defend themselves if they can't do the splits - - quite the opposite is true, but do not make the mistake of downplaying an appropriate physical conditioning skill.
CM D.J. Eisenhart
