Learn to defend yourself with karate


Learn How To Kick: Kicking Effectively in a Self-Defense or Combat Situation Part 2 of 10

This ten article series will deal with thethey are never seen by your opponent until
various components that need to be addressedafter  they  have  already  hit  him.
when considering the utilization of a
particular kick in a combat or self-defenseKicking  Low  Section:
situation. These ten components can also be
used by the tournament competitor althoughI consider low section kicks to be kicks
certain segments would have to be modifiedapplied to anywhere from the level of the
slightly for the tournament aspects ofthigh  down to and including the foot itself.
kicking, rather than the more intensive
nature of using a kick or kicks in combat.One of the best reasons to initially kick low
Although all of these individual componentsas a set-up technique is to redirect your
are important, they are most effective whenopponent's attention from you to the pain he
combined together and utilized correctly whenis now feeling somewhere on his leg or foot.
executing  a  kick.This will have a tendency to not only make
your opponent more hesitant to attack, but it
Although I will only be discussing one of thealso opens up his head for you to attack with
components in this article, here is theyour  hands.
complete  list  of  all  ten  of  them.
Kicking at a low section level, although
1.  Your  Kicking  Abilitystill balancing on one leg, is a lot more
stable than kicking at a midsection or high
2.  Your  Intended  Applicationsection level. This minimizes the risk to you
while still allowing you to use your more
3.  The  Environmentpowerful  weapons,  your  legs.
4.  TelegraphingIn general, it is harder for your opponent to
see a low section kick coming than it is a
5.  Striking  Implementmidsection or high section kick. Of course
this is all relative to the skill of the
6.  Striking  the  Correct  Targetperson  kicking.
7.  Initial  ImpactKicking  Midsection:
8.  ImpactI consider midsection kicks to be kicks
applied to anywhere on the body (front, back,
9.  Retraction  or  Follow  Throughand sides) from the level of the groin to the
height  of  the  solar  plexus.
10.  Return  to  Fighting  Position
One of the best reasons to kick to the
Component Two; Your Intended Kickingmidsection is after already hitting your
Application:opponent with one or two punches to the head.
This usually disorients him enough to allow
How do you intend to apply your kick oryou the opportunity to land a kick to the
kicks? Are you using them to set-up anothergroin or solar plexus which can effectively
technique, or are you using them as aend  the  fight.
finishing technique? Are you applying them at
a low section, midsection, or high sectionA very important point to remember when
level? Let's take a look at each one of thesekicking at a midsection or high section level
possibilities.is the ease in which your opponent can grab
your kicking leg if you don't execute your
As  a  Set-Up  Technique:kick correctly by returning your kicking leg
to the ground faster than when it came off
Are you using your kick as a way to distractthe ground when you first initiated the kick.
or off-balance your opponent in an effort toI guarantee you that you do not want to be
close the distance and set-up a morehopping around on one foot while your
effective technique? This can be accomplishedopponent is holding on to the other. Doing so
in a variety of ways. For example; executingwill result in nothing but pain and
a low section kick in order to draw yourembarrassment  for  the  kicker.
opponents attention away from punches
intended for the head, or kicking low sectionKicking  High  Section:
in order to off-balance your opponent as you
shoot in and go for a takedown. TheFor the most part, I do not recommend kicking
combinations  are  virtually  endless.at a high section level and will go so far as
to say that 99% of the time it should not be
My instructors were always adamant aboutdone. However, like anything, there is that
telling me to use my kicks to set-up my hands1% of the time that it can and does work
and my hands to set-up my kicks. This is veryeffectively. Whether a high section kick is
sound  and  practical  advice.effective or not is primarily determined by
the skill level of the kicker. Although there
As  a  Finishing  Technique:are other extenuating factors involved that
are generally not under the control of the
Are you using your kick as a finishingkicker. These factors will be discussed in
technique after already setting-up andthe  third  article  in  the  series.
hurting your opponent with something else?
This too can be accomplished in a variety ofLike the old saying goes, "It's better to be
ways. For example; utilizing a left jabsafe than sorry." This applies very
followed by a right cross to the head, with aappropriately to the use of high section
low roundhouse kick to the outside of thekicks in a self-defense situation. Therefore,
opponent's thigh or knee to finish him off,for the most part, I recommend limiting the
or utilizing the same hand combinationuse of your kicks to low and midsection
followed by a kick to the groin. Thelevels.
combinations that are available to you in
order to use your kicks as a finishingThe next article in this series will deal
technique  are  virtually  endless.with the third of ten components needed to
kick effectively in a combat or self-defense
Regardless of how you utilize your kicks,situation. That component is, "The
they should be executed in such a way thatEnvironment.



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