Back leg kicks; bad?

[bushido_man96]

I was reading an article in my latest Black Belt Magazine, and one of the articles was talking about kicking, and stated that rear-leg kicking should never be done in fights or in training.

This kind of took me off guard. I do believe that kicking with the back leg is sound strategically. The key, I think, is choosing the right kick. A back leg round kick to the thigh is a very good kick. A back leg front kick to the low-line levels can be a great kick, too. Now, a back leg side kick may be a kick that takes too long to get going, and I can understand not wanting to use a kick like that in self-defense. However, some kicks can generate quite a lot of power from the back leg position.

I think the key is smart training, and to not be overly elaborate when defending yourself.

[lordtariel]

I'm of the opinion that any technique is usable in the right situation. Leading leg kicks are faster, but you can usually generate more power with the back leg. I find it easier to catch back leg kicks though. I guess it just depends on who you're fighting.

[Rateh]

I was always taught that if your going to kick with your back leg, just make sure it's a second/third/etc part of a combination.

[Ace2021]

I usually keep it in part of a combination also, usually jab jab cross, back leg roundhouse kick to the thigh, as not to telegraph as much.

It's one of my favorite combinations. Kicking with the lead leg in a roundhouse is ok, but it usually won't buckle your opponents leg, which is what I aim for. Lower the mobility substantially, and the rest of the fight is usually easy from there.

[TigerDude]

I think the author who thinks rear leg kicks should not be used should answer why it seems to work for the Muay Thai guys.

[danbong]

Maybe the author thinks light contact point sparring is "fighting". In addition to the back leg roundhouse of kyokushin and muay thai, there's the back leg front kick of shotokan. And the axe kick usually done with the back leg. As the others have said, you need to set up back leg kicks properly, but that's really true of any technique.

[bushido_man96]

I agree, set up is key for any technique. I also feel that the back leg round kick to the thigh is a great kick, and it can be quite debilitating. A back leg front kick into the knee can be, as well.

[DokterVet]

I was reading an article in my latest Black Belt Magazine

There's your problem.

[cross]

I do believe that kicking with the back leg is sound strategically. The key, I think, is choosing the right kick. A back leg round kick to the thigh is a very good kick. A back leg front kick to the low-line levels can be a great kick, too. Now, a back leg side kick may be a kick that takes too long to get going, and I can understand not wanting to use a kick like that in self-defense. However, some kicks can generate quite a lot of power from the back leg position.

It can be tactically sound, at times. However, there are alot of situations where it is a poor option. It depends on the principles of your system, but if you follow something along the lines of "closest weapon, closest target", then it is rarely applicable. Also distance is a factor, it generally requires a greater distance and more time to land a rear leg kick than a front leg kick. Not to mention in self defense situations you will only rarely find yourself in kicking range. Everything usually happens much closer.

[bushido_man96]

It can be tactically sound, at times. However, there are alot of situations where it is a poor option. It depends on the principles of your system, but if you follow something along the lines of "closest weapon, closest target", then it is rarely applicable. Also distance is a factor, it generally requires a greater distance and more time to land a rear leg kick than a front leg kick. Not to mention in self defense situations you will only rarely find yourself in kicking range. Everything usually happens much closer.

I agree that most times things will occur at close distance. However, even tied up in close, you can still do a back leg kick to the knee or thigh, with good results, wouldn't you think? Even if one leg is just a few inches back farther than the front, then that would make it back leg, and appropriate, I think. As far as back leg kicking to the waist or above; well, I don't think I would attempt front leg kicking that high on the street, either.