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

This ten article series will deal with the varioushim.
components that need to be addressed whenKicking Low Section:
considering the utilization of a particular kick in aI consider low section kicks to be kicks applied to
combat or self-defense situation. These tenanywhere from the level of the thigh down to and
components can also be used by the tournamentincluding the foot itself.
competitor although certain segments would have toOne of the best reasons to initially kick low as a
be modified slightly for the tournament aspects ofset-up technique is to redirect your opponent's
kicking, rather than the more intensive nature ofattention from you to the pain he is now feeling
using a kick or kicks in combat. Although all of thesesomewhere on his leg or foot. This will have a
individual components are important, they are mosttendency to not only make your opponent more
effective when combined together and utilizedhesitant to attack, but it also opens up his head for
correctly when executing a kick.you to attack with your hands.
Although I will only be discussing one of theKicking at a low section level, although still balancing
components in this article, here is the complete list ofon one leg, is a lot more stable than kicking at a
all ten of them.midsection or high section level. This minimizes the
1. Your Kicking Abilityrisk to you while still allowing you to use your more
2. Your Intended Applicationpowerful weapons, your legs.
3. The EnvironmentIn general, it is harder for your opponent to see a
4. Telegraphinglow section kick coming than it is a midsection or high
5. Striking Implementsection kick. Of course this is all relative to the skill of
6. Striking the Correct Targetthe person kicking.
7. Initial ImpactKicking Midsection:
8. ImpactI consider midsection kicks to be kicks applied to
9. Retraction or Follow Throughanywhere on the body (front, back, and sides) from
10. Return to Fighting Positionthe level of the groin to the height of the solar
Component Two; Your Intended Kicking Application:plexus.
How do you intend to apply your kick or kicks? AreOne of the best reasons to kick to the midsection is
you using them to set-up another technique, or areafter already hitting your opponent with one or two
you using them as a finishing technique? Are youpunches to the head. This usually disorients him
applying them at a low section, midsection, or highenough to allow you the opportunity to land a kick to
section level? Let's take a look at each one of thesethe groin or solar plexus which can effectively end
possibilities.the fight.
As a Set-Up Technique:A very important point to remember when kicking at
Are you using your kick as a way to distract ora midsection or high section level is the ease in which
off-balance your opponent in an effort to close theyour opponent can grab your kicking leg if you don't
distance and set-up a more effective technique? Thisexecute your kick correctly by returning your kicking
can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Forleg to the ground faster than when it came off the
example; executing a low section kick in order toground when you first initiated the kick. I guarantee
draw your opponents attention away from punchesyou that you do not want to be hopping around on
intended for the head, or kicking low section in orderone foot while your opponent is holding on to the
to off-balance your opponent as you shoot in and goother. Doing so will result in nothing but pain and
for a takedown. The combinations are virtuallyembarrassment for the kicker.
endless.Kicking High Section:
My instructors were always adamant about telling meFor the most part, I do not recommend kicking at a
to use my kicks to set-up my hands and my handshigh section level and will go so far as to say that
to set-up my kicks. This is very sound and practical99% of the time it should not be done. However, like
advice.anything, there is that 1% of the time that it can and
As a Finishing Technique:does work effectively. Whether a high section kick is
Are you using your kick as a finishing technique aftereffective or not is primarily determined by the skill
already setting-up and hurting your opponent withlevel of the kicker. Although there are other
something else? This too can be accomplished in aextenuating factors involved that are generally not
variety of ways. For example; utilizing a left jabunder the control of the kicker. These factors will be
followed by a right cross to the head, with a lowdiscussed in the third article in the series.
roundhouse kick to the outside of the opponent'sLike the old saying goes, "It's better to be safe than
thigh or knee to finish him off, or utilizing the samesorry." This applies very appropriately to the use of
hand combination followed by a kick to the groin. Thehigh section kicks in a self-defense situation.
combinations that are available to you in order to useTherefore, for the most part, I recommend limiting
your kicks as a finishing technique are virtuallythe use of your kicks to low and midsection levels.
endless.The next article in this series will deal with the third
Regardless of how you utilize your kicks, they shouldof ten components needed to kick effectively in a
be executed in such a way that they are never seencombat or self-defense situation. That component is,
by your opponent until after they have already hit"The Environment.