Most effective kick!

[MasterH]

bird,

Sidekicks are some of the most powerful in TKD. They are also one of the easiest to learn. I have met white belts who have good side kicks. From what I've read, you seem to have a few years under your belt, so I would say listen to that Master. I would also look at improving those kicks by adding to them, double kicks, combination triples, reverse kicks, spinning kicks, jumps, and the possibilities go on. Also remember we're our own worst crittics............well that is except my wife.......

[AngelaG]

Your wife is Aefibird's worst critic??

[MasterH]

She's starting to get jealous of my computer........so I wouldn't be far off by saying that.

[Aefibird]

masterh said:

Also remember we're our own worst crittics............

Yes, I know, I was just having a bit of fun. I do value that Masters words and his opinion of my kicking. He's a great guy and a true asset to martial arts (not just in the field of TKD either).

I like side kicks and I've been working hard lately on doubling and tripling my kicking. It's probably not anything that I'd ever use in the street (see my previous post as to why I like to keep both feet on the ground) but it's another good 'tool' to have in the arsenal and it also helps with my speed and flexibility too.

Master H, as a TKD guy, do you have any good training tips for jump and spin kicks?

[AngelaG]

maskedman said:

Now what do you think is a effective kick for live altercation! I personally think kicks to the knee are best and forget the roundhouse to the head etc!

Any kick can be effective for live altercation, if used correctly. Firstly, any kick above the waist will put you off balance, so I would discard those (for me) straight off. The kick you choose to use will depend on what's given to you by the opponent, what situation you are in (distance etc.) and what you might want to set youself up for.

[rikimaru]

From my experience of throwing kicks while takedowns are allowed, I actually find head kicks less risky than body kicks. This is only in the ring/cage enviroment but it's easier to grab a body kick than a head kick imo. I think it's due to the position of the arms.

[maskedman]

This is a thread about kicks in live situations....not in the ring......by the way whats a wobble board?

[Aefibird]

maskedman said:

by the way whats a wobble board?

karateresource.proboards15.com/index.cgi?board=train&action=display&thread=1109666194

See this thread.

A wobble board is a training device to help ankle flexibility and balance.

[MasterH]

aefibird said:

masterh said:

Also remember we're our own worst crittics............

Yes, I know, I was just having a bit of fun. I do value that Masters words and his opinion of my kicking. He's a great guy and a true asset to martial arts (not just in the field of TKD either).

I like side kicks and I've been working hard lately on doubling and tripling my kicking. It's probably not anything that I'd ever use in the street (see my previous post as to why I like to keep both feet on the ground) but it's another good 'tool' to have in the arsenal and it also helps with my speed and flexibility too.

Master H, as a TKD guy, do you have any good training tips for jump and spin kicks?

Side kick are a great self defense kick. Perfect for the knee or stomach shot.

As for training for reverse or spinning kicks:
1) break it down to the simple.
2) look before you kick.
3) Get your head around fast, one of the downfalls of spinning kick is you loose sight of the target.

When I say break it down to the simple, I mean into manageable sections.

Example: Reverse side kick.
1) You are in a read position guard up.
2) turn your trunk, quickly turn your head look over your shoulder, eye's on target.
3) Kicking leg up chamber position
4) Execute the kick
5) Re-chamber the kick
6) leg returns to the floor.

Over time that will become 2nd nature and fluid.

As for jump kicks, everyone seems to be into height, that's the last thing you should be worried about. Jump off your back leg, strait into the chamber position. In time you will get height, to work on this you need two folding chairs and a body shield:

Position 1) chairs facing each other body-shield on the seats. Working on jumping over the obstacle, focus should be on the chamber position.

Position 2) add another body shield on top of the the first body shield.

Position 3) turn the chairs away from each other place one body shield on top of the back rests. This is more to work on height but not at the expense of the correct chambering technique.

Position 4) add as many blockers as you can clear, your technique will go downhill the more you add, but at this point, it's all fun.

Now, I'll post about jump reverse techniques a bit later, this has become long winded.

[rikimaru]

Excelent post on kicking skills MasterH. That's some good instruction.

Cheers.

[MasterH]

Thanks R.

Now for jump reverse kicks. We all know the difference between reverse kicks and spinning kicks? Reverse kicks turn 90 degrees backward where spinning kicks turn 180.

Meaning:

Reverse - right leg is back in a left leg forward ready position, end with right leg forward.

Spin - right leg is back in a left leg forward ready position, end with the same leg forward. The Right leg spins backward, executes the kick, and keeps on spinning to its original position.

Now add the jump reverse (side kick in this case). This can be taught/learnt very easily, just break it down to the basics.

1) Ready position left leg forward right leg back.

2) just like a reverse kick turn the trunk, hands in fighting position, eyes on target (remember the flaw of turning, you loose sight of the target)

3) jump, at the same time you chamber, execute right side kick, then re-chamber the kick as your left foot lands.

4) right foot returns to the floor.

Now. when this become a bit more fluid (turn-look-jump-kick) you can try jump-turn-look-kick, but only if you feel comfortable acquiring the target while entering the chamber position. This is a much more advanced kick.

[random]

Jumping kicks…not for a long time, if I can jump in the air to kick them I might as well just jump on them.

The one thing that seems to be coming out of this is that the most effective kick is one that has been practised and practised and practiced.

So to have an effective kick, don’t worry about the kick, when you need it it will come (paraphrasing a very poor film sorry), just make sure that through hard work that the kick you through is a good one.

[MasterH]

Yea, it's allot of practice. And I don't recommend tossing one into a combat situation. But, it's fun to do.

[Aefibird]

Thanks for the tips Master H.

No, I don't intend trying to use a jump/spin kick if I ever get into a street altercation, however, I think it would be a good addition to my training, especially to help with balance, timing and speed.

[rikimaru]

Here is a good tutorial on how to perform a 540:

www.trickstutorials.com/index.php?page=content/t_540