side kicks in MMA

[AceKing]

I have seen reverse sidekicks, round kicks and even hook kicks, but i havnt seen a good old side kick. From what i hear it is the most powerful kick, so why dont MMA fighters use it?

[bushido_man96]

A good side kick takes a sideways set-up, and most MMA fighters have a forward facing stance. Even if you do a good side kick, you have to move your body back into position to follow up with hand techniques, and a kick follow-up will be a long while developing. I think that is why.

[ninjer]

As was said, a sideways stance is what allows you to throw a sidekick, but a sideways stance doesnt allow you to sprawl, so it would leave you defenseless vs takedowns.

A second reason is that side kicks (when there is any power in them) are often telegraphed and easily avoided or blocked.

Alot of people tried sidekicks with very minimal success in early UFCs. Personally, I think something like the roundhouse is just such a better option.

[learning kempo-karate]

Hello, It seems sometimes the most powerful kick? But there are other kicks that works better at taking an attacker out.

The side kicks is good for keeping the attacker away (sometimes known as a push kick, if done that way). Very few people can throw a powerful side kick that ends a fight. (if you can side kick to head? ..this will work)

The side kick has it place in fighting. But you have to change your stance and most people will see it coming. There are those who can throw it out quickly and not be seen. Most side kicks tarket the body. ( in a real fight..the knees)

Alot of MMA do not use this....because it was found not to be very effective for their style of fighting. It has been use...but you will see very little damages done to the other person. (Not everyone can throw it with enough power and on the tarket they are aiming for.)

I am glad to see you have notice this....MMA sometimes are good indicators of what may work most times. (keep in mind..there are fightng with rules to protect the fighters.) Watch especially for the same techniques that most of them use over and over!

Many times it is the basis stuffs and simple techniques that works the best.

If you and a friend is being chase by a BEAR....all you need to do is out run your friend. Learn to run faster!

[bushido_man96]

After finishing with a round kick, hook kick, or even the spin side kick, you finish in a good position to defend. After finishing with the lead leg side kick, your body is left sideways, whether you rechamber your leg, or just let it go to the ground. You are terribily vulnerable to a takedown.

[bushido_man96]

Here is the video of the Muay Thai fighter vs. a TKD fighter. Watch what happens as the TKD fighter tries to throw his side kicks:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5585460401345378983&q=Muay+THai&pl=true

[Symphony-x]

I use a side kick as push away or a 'warning' kick

[ninjer]

Here is the video of the Muay Thai fighter vs. a TKD fighter. Watch what happens as the TKD fighter tries to throw his side kicks:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5585460401345378983&q=Muay+THai&pl=true

Good find- you're not going to be throwing sidekicks the way we've seen Bruce Lee when he steps 5 feet and destroys the heavy bag- its way too telegraphed. Without that step over, however, its very difficult to develop the power needed for the kick to be effective. Should your opponent catch or sidestep it, as shown in that video, hes also primed for a solid attack at your weakpoints.

[bushido_man96]

Good point. Although the stepping wind up will generate power, the opportunity to set it up will not always be present. Even in tournaments, just getting one step in and a kick off is very telegraphic.

[shift]

Side kicks can be used, but side kick makes you exposed. If the opponent steps to the outside and deflects your kick, your back is open.