With a single, you (ideally) need to get it up to compression on the firing stroke (listen for the carb sucking as the piston goes down, slowly bring it back up) then ease it a little over compression, then give it the berries wiv yer leg. That should give you best chance to start the *astard.
Some singles, notably Velocette have such a low kickstart ratio that they are really easy to kick over even though they might have a high compression ratio, which is okay, BUT because of the low ratio a good kick doesn't turn it over much, that's why it takes about 3 decades to learn how to start a Velo!!! (It should much easier with 'cooking' porridge singles like B31/3 though).

Paul, do this. You've already sussed it yourself, (use the lifter) If you've bought it up to and eased it over compression you'll get a good full swing at it without de-kneeing yourself.