| One of the best techniques for real self defense is | | | | the way. Knees are sensitive. It doesn't take much |
| the low kick. While you don't need herculean power | | | | to damage one. In fact, this is the beauty of low line |
| to succeed with these kicks, some martial artists do | | | | kicking. It doesn't take a lot of power to produce an |
| worry about making their kicks hard enough to | | | | affect. With a little work, you should be able to stop |
| defend. Here are three important tips to developing | | | | a serious attacker with one kick. |
| stronger low kicks.... | | | | Note: I like the idea of kicking and then running away. |
| 1) Kick Modified | | | | Better yet, can you just run away without even |
| Kick with with your foot turned as though you were | | | | taking the time to kick? Always play it safe, when |
| kicking with your instep. Turn your foot, so you are | | | | you can. |
| kicking with the wide, instep side. Still, kick mostly | | | | 3) Practice two main low kicks over and over |
| with the bottom of your foot. | | | | Practice kicking just under the knee cap (patella) for |
| In other words, don't make contact with a vulnerable | | | | serious situations, and practice a good shin scrape |
| area like the inside ankle. I am just teaching you foot | | | | that starts at mid-shin and drops in and down to just |
| position. Don't cripple yourself when you make | | | | above where the leg meets the front of the foot. |
| contact. | | | | Bonus Low Kick Tip -- |
| 2) Low Kick Scrapes: In and Down | | | | Plan a couple of "next moves." As mentioned above, |
| When you kick low, think two thoughts at the same | | | | practice for a "kick-and-run" strategy. Practice a low |
| time. Think of kicking past the leg -- through the shin, | | | | kick followed by a punch or jab to the face. Practice |
| AND imagine scraping down the front of your | | | | a low kick followed by another quick, low kick. |
| attacker's shin. | | | | Practice your low kick followed by ... a barrage of |
| Believe it or not, I still think in and down, when I am | | | | punches. |
| kicking into the knee. Careful when practicing this, by | | | | |