"Need to Know" (5 Kicks)

[joesteph]

The March 2011 issue of Black Belt magazine has an article by C. Lee Long, "Need to Know: The 5 Kicks Every Martial Artist Must Master," pp. 74-75.

I've read in a different article that the front kick and the roundhouse are all that are needed, but Long identifies five:

1. Front Kick

2. Side Thrust Kick

3. Thai Kick

4. Wheel Kick (roundhouse)

5. Heel-Thrust Kick

The photos and explanations given are very good in terms of self-defense, not sparring. Training/practice for self-defense, not in sparring, which has rules, would apply here.

[jason ainley]

Front rising kick { apcha oligi } generally used as a stretching exercise to warm up the hamstrings, but is also a very effective kick for self defense when used within grappling range targeting the groin with the shin bone.

A basic technique that does not need a high level of skill to execute.

[joesteph]

Front rising kick { apcha oligi } generally used as a stretching exercise to warm up the hamstrings, but is also a very effective kick for self defense . . . targeting the groin with the shin bone.

That's how the front kick is shown in the photo within the article, Jason. It's a woman who has an attacker grabbing her upper arms face-to-face. She has her lower shin striking, as you suggest.

[DWx]

With apcha olligi there is a danger of falling over though. Especially in beginners, the concentration is in throwing the leg up as high as possible (for the stretch) and the weight tends to go back. Seen plenty of people fall flat on their back, done it myself too before . All the power really relies on how much swing and momentum you can throw into it. Personally I'd prefer an upward knee kick in that situation or if the distance permits, a front snap kick.

What's the "heel-thrust" kick he's referring to Joe? Is it a back kick?

I've read in a different article that the front kick and the roundhouse are all that are needed...

If you were only going to teach/practice two kicks I'd go with them two. They pretty much cover all angles. The front kick for targets that are straight ahead and the roundhouse for ones that you want to hit side on. If I was going to make it up to 5 kicks, personally I'd add in the side kick, back kick and hook kicks.

[joesteph]

What's the "heel-thrust" kick he's referring to Joe? Is it a back kick?

The heel-thrust kick is like a front kick, Danielle, but imagine almost striking with the flat of the foot, except the heel is forward enough to make contact. In the photos, the woman is against a wall, and she's giving a good shot, like a shove with some kicking power to it, to her assailant. It's suggested to go for the solar plexus or the bladder.

I've seen a Muay Thai YouTube video of that kick, with the defender standing and leaning his body forward, stopping the forward motion of a much heavier man. When I studied at another school, several times I made the mistake of going straight forward against my sparring partner. I ran into that kick (wearing gear), and even though it could be a teenage girl who I far outweighed, I'd be stopped as she leaned into it, even if paused just long enough for her to move out of the way of my forward attack. (One of the problems of having done non-contact prior to this is that I didn't run into anything that stopped me. Someone can think s/he's a locomotive, when it just isn't so.)

[jason ainley]

with the rising kick balance is not really effected as much as other kicks, as the kick would not have to travel far to reach the intended target just rises up between the opponents legs to the groin.

Also a natural kick to throw if being forced backwards towards the ground by a stronger attacker,

But the kick like the upward knee kick would only be effective if applied within grappling range.

Kicking in self defence { in my view } is better as a finishing technique { exit technique} as kicking distance is easily cut down by the opponent moving forward, plus we lose our balance when we stand on one leg, not good if we have a large aggressive opponent moving towards us .

Jason

Edited February 22, 2011 by jason ainley

[tallgeese]

We don't use a heel front, so I can't comment, though it does sound a bit off balancing.

In general, I'd say what is mandantory is front and MT round. Those would be primary. Secondary would go to round and side.

If we must say 5 then an up kick from from the ground should be added and practiced. Very useful survival skill.

[MasterPain]

We don't use a heel front, so I can't comment, though it does sound a bit off balancing.

In general, I'd say what is mandantory is front and MT round. Those would be primary. Secondary would go to round and side.

If we must say 5 then an up kick from from the ground should be added and practiced. Very useful survival skill.

I thought the heel front sounded like a push kick, which is a good distance holder, but I would rather hit with the ball of the foot. Grant uses those a lot.

Another kick I think we need to remember is the heel to the kidneys that Royce Gracie did from his guard before it got banned. Those things hurt.

[bushido_man96]

What was the difference between his Thai kick and wheel kick? Targets, or technique?

I'd say front and round would be primary. Side kick is a good one, too, but I find it to be much harder for beginners to grasp well, and it takes more time to really develop (especially if they learn the round kick first). But, I'd keep it low, which makes proper execution easier, too. I'd also add a back kick, but can't think of what I'd add as a 5th for a basic self-defense kick the others don't cover.

[mrjohn104]

The March 2011 issue of Black Belt magazine has an article by C. Lee Long, "Need to Know: The 5 Kicks Every Martial Artist Must Master," pp. 74-75.

I've read in a different article that the front kick and the roundhouse are all that are needed, but Long identifies five:

1. Front Kick

2. Side Thrust Kick

3. Thai Kick

4. Wheel Kick (roundhouse)

5. Heel-Thrust Kick

The photos and explanations given are very good in terms of self-defense, not sparring. Training/practice for self-defense, not in sparring, which has rules, would apply here.

That information is very useful for me. I'm working on this. Sincerely thank