Kicks
Those not familiar with martial arts if asked to demonstrate
a kick would generally kick as if kicking a ball. Although this
type of kick can be effective in certain circumstances, with a
majority of kicks in martial arts the leg is chambered first.
Chambering the leg means to bring the knee up as high as possible
as part of the kicking technique, this allows for a higher kick
and for hip action to be used to produce a very powerful kick.
The spectacular high kicking techniques used in martial arts are
primarily for sparing and tournament purposes and would probably
be of little use in a street fighting situation. However, the
techniques learnt and the flexibility gained by practicing these
kicks, allows for more effective kicks to be used to lower parts
of the body in a street encounter.
Safety
When practicing kicks, it is best not to fully lock out the knee,
if not kicking to a target. It is always safer to kick against
a target. You should always warm up and stretch the muscles prior
to practicing kicks.
Front Kick:
This is probably the first kick practice. It can be from the front
leg or the rear leg, the knee is raised (chambered) as high as
possible with the heel of the leg on the ground raised, kick forward
using the ball of the foot to make contact. Greater power can
be gained by using the rear leg in combination with momentum,
however, this does tender to give away your intentions to the
opponent enabling them to avoid or counter kick. A front leg attack is quicker and less obvious but does require practice to perfect.
Turning Kick
(Round House Kick): The knee is chambered in a side ways motion,
bringing the thigh and lower part of the leg parallel to the floor.
At the same time the heel is raised on the standing leg so that
the weight is taken on the ball of the foot. The knee is pointed
at the target and the leg extended simultaneously turning
the heel of the supporting leg towards the target. Contact is
made with the target using either the ball of the foot or the
instep. The whole technique is carried out in one continuous action
providing momentum and power. When in practicing to kick to a
target we generally use the instep in preference to the ball of
the foot to avoid injury to the toes. A variation of the Turning
Kick is the 45° Turning Kick, which uses a lower chamber (45°).
Although faster it is less powerful.
Side Kick:
The knee is chambered with the leg parallel to the floor and the
thigh tight to the body. Standing leg is on the ball of the foot.
The kicking leg is thrusted out towards the target making contact
with the blade of the foot and standing leg heel is turned towards
the target. For this kick to be effective and to gain the most
height, the body needs to be in alignment with the rear foot,
the hips and the knee and blade of the foot in one line.
Axe Kick: A
powerful kick if carried out correctly, the knee is chambered
to the front as in the Front Kick, but the lower part of the leg
continues to rise in a slight angle across your body up as high
as possible with the toes pulled back, once the maximum height
has been reached, the leg is bought straight down with force using
either heel or the instep to gain further reach. The secret of
this kick is to relax as much as possible when raising the leg
before bringing it down with force.
Crescent Kick:
This kick can be used to knock way the opponents guard. The leg
is chambered as for Front Kick then the lower part of the leg
is raised as high a possible in a circular motion across the front
of your body, once the maximum height is reached, it is swiftly
brought down continuing the circular motion.
General: The
above describes some of the basic kicking techniques. There are
obviously numerous kicks to be learnt including spinning and jumping
kicks. To learn these kicks you need to practice with the correct
instruction.
