The best kick for self defense

[Shui Tora]

^ Sorry I shall tranlsate for you...

I think that a low roundhouse kick (or a leg sweep) to the lower part of the leg (so that it hits the side of the leg) would be effective, as there are about 8 different pressure points there, and with a good powerful kick would be good...

Is that better?

[bushido_man96]

^ Sorry I shall tranlsate for you...

I think that a low roundhouse kick (or a leg sweep) to the lower part of the leg (so that it hits the side of the leg) would be effective, as there are about 8 different pressure points there, and with a good powerful kick would be good...

Is that better?

Yes, thanks. So, the difference between your opinion and mine is target area, essentially, right?

[Shui Tora]

Yeah... In my opinion, the lower leg is unprotected and plus with a good strong kick you can hit a pressure point (not caring about which one () and then continue form there)

[cathal]

Hm, for me the front thrust works well. Gidan or Chudan level is going to be the best, either way it's low and it takes them off balance. If they are grabbing a hold of you you can shift your weight and do a take-down or push them away.

If they haven't grabbed you at this point, the thrust pushes them back giving you valuable space. If you hurt them enough you can run, or dial 911 on your cell, etc.

[UseoForce]

In a self defense situation, I agree a front thrust kick with the rear leg is the best. It is damaging and can be used to shove even a large assailant away.

Against a more skilled fighter, I would favor a low Muay Thai-style roundhouse kick.

[Sohan]

I also like the low roundhouse, but I go for the knee. I used it successfully against a mugger in downtown Atlanta many years ago. The problem with doing such a kick against a trained opponent, however, is that it can be an easy kick to trap, then followed by a sweep. This is one of my favorite defensive techniques, even when the kick is very strong. I step in slightly to smother the kick, trap the leg with my arm, and sweep the supporting leg from the outside or just front kick to the groin or the knee of the supporting leg.

You can also press and roll the inner thigh of the trapped leg and the opponent goes right down, but it's not as easy as it sounds. I also like the "statue of liberty" move where you catch and upwardly direct the leg, and as your opponent falls you can easily mount them for a little G & P.

With respect,

Sohan

[UseoForce]

I also like the low roundhouse, but I go for the knee. I used it successfully against a mugger in downtown Atlanta many years ago. The problem with doing such a kick against a trained opponent, however, is that it can be an easy kick to trap, then followed by a sweep. This is one of my favorite defensive techniques, even when the kick is very strong. I step in slightly to smother the kick, trap the leg with my arm, and sweep the supporting leg from the outside or just front kick to the groin or the knee of the supporting leg.

You can also press and roll the inner thigh of the trapped leg and the opponent goes right down, but it's not as easy as it sounds. I also like the "statue of liberty" move where you catch and upwardly direct the leg, and as your opponent falls you can easily mount them for a little G & P.

With respect,

Sohan

Actually, the low round kick is one of the hardest kicks to catch/trap. That's one of the reasons you see it some much in the UFC, almost to the exclusion of all other kinds of kicks. I'd say 9/10 kicks I see in MMA are low round kicks.

[Sohan]

I also like the low roundhouse, but I go for the knee. I used it successfully against a mugger in downtown Atlanta many years ago. The problem with doing such a kick against a trained opponent, however, is that it can be an easy kick to trap, then followed by a sweep. This is one of my favorite defensive techniques, even when the kick is very strong. I step in slightly to smother the kick, trap the leg with my arm, and sweep the supporting leg from the outside or just front kick to the groin or the knee of the supporting leg.

You can also press and roll the inner thigh of the trapped leg and the opponent goes right down, but it's not as easy as it sounds. I also like the "statue of liberty" move where you catch and upwardly direct the leg, and as your opponent falls you can easily mount them for a little G & P.

With respect,

Sohan

Actually, the low round kick is one of the hardest kicks to catch/trap. That's one of the reasons you see it some much in the UFC, almost to the exclusion of all other kinds of kicks. I'd say 9/10 kicks I see in MMA are low round kicks.

It can be difficult if the kicker is fairly quick and you don't move in on it. When you move in, catch the leg closer to the knee and it has less impact force. Then just pull it up and quickly press and roll the thigh. If the kick is very low, say the bottom half of my shin, I simply lift my foot without shifting my weight and counter. The higher the kick comes, the more likely I'll move in and trap.

But you have to train for such a move just like anything else---I often wonder having watched UFC and Pride whether many fighters really train well to defend the low RH kick, or anything else.

With respect,

Sohan

[UseoForce]

I'm not saying that it can't be done, just saying it is much harder to do than a front or side kick.

[bushido_man96]

I don't see many people get down low enough to try and block a low round kick. Not that noone could, but I have never seen it.