How many kicks do you need?

[Johnlogic121]

I read that Shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi's own style, uses four basic types of kicking manuevers. Funakoshi is called the "Father of Modern Karate" so his system has had a major influence. In Tae Kwon Do, on the other hand, there are about fourteen kicks, and each can be executed wih a hop, a spin, or a leap. Tae Kwon Do stylists are also famous for intricate kickng combinations where they sometimes spin a total of 540 degrees, or 360 degrees plus another 180, when delivering three of more kicks to the opponent. Some or their kicking combinations are totally aerial, such as leaping in the air and executing a roundhouse kick followed by a spinning sidekick before landing on the ground. Most folks would agree that versatality is a good thing, but training kicks can take longer than training a lot of other things. The basic flexibility to kick to the head in multiple ways can take nine months to develop. Shotokan people tend to feel that their kicks are sufficient in number. The Tae Kwon Do kicking specialists explicitly focus on that aspect of fighting, however, and thus they naturally have almost every conceivable kicking manuever possible. Suppose you are training like a Jeet Kune Do practitioner. How many kicks do you need? -JL

[bushido_man96]

To answer here, see my post in the same thread related to grappling: not quantity, but quality and versatility.

In TKD I can think of front, round, side, hook, crescent (inside and outside), and axe kick. The variations of each would be jumps, spins, hops, etc. So, you are looking at not so many basic kicks, but many variations to the kicks.

Now, the ones you need, would most likely be the front, side, and round. The front and round I think are the most easily applied, and are good for kicking to the low line and while in the clinch.

[tallgeese]

Agree.

Again, we go back to varriations on a theme. Round, front, knee, for me, maybe side. Now, apply them from a multitude of ranges and heights and for different purposes. Stun, destabilxze center, damage, ect.

[mortalflesh]

Definately the front and roundhouse...low kicks with lots of power. I'm not a big fan of the side kick.

I'm with you Tallgeese...the knee is a very important kick often overlooked by those without Mauy Thai or MMA training. It really should be stressed more, in my opinion, as street fights usually end up very close range. Often in these situations, the knees and elbows are often the best choices.

[cross]

I agree with those who said front and round kicks along the low-line. Thats all you "need" if you had to choice 2 kicks, but that doesnt mean knowing others is going to be detrimental. Its better to know 10 kicks and need 5 than to know 5 and need 10.

[bushido_man96]

Definately the front and roundhouse...low kicks with lots of power. I'm not a big fan of the side kick.

I'm with you Tallgeese...the knee is a very important kick often overlooked by those without Mauy Thai or MMA training. It really should be stressed more, in my opinion, as street fights usually end up very close range. Often in these situations, the knees and elbows are often the best choices.

I agree. Knee kicks are also very valuable tools, and often overlooked.

[unknownstyle]

front side and back are all you really need you can put variations on them to suit your needs from there

[Adonis]

I prefer just the thai kick to the legs or head. Thats it!