High kicks

[Dobie1979]

I would like to see what everyones take is on this subject. In my style of karate though we practice high kicks; we are also reminded that most of our kicks are intended for below the waist or groin. I know there are some talented kickers out there that can perform heads kicks easily. I tend to agree that kicks are better used for below the waist. I just want to see what everone else thinks.

Thanks!

[bushido_man96]

I think kicks are good, and are most valuable, when used below the waste.

I do think, however, kicking above the waste can be useful, and beneficial, but like anything else, it has to be done right, timed right, and strategized right. Its a particularly tough skill to aquire, kicking to the head, and speed is the best friend, next to technique. Like I said, its especially tough to get good at, but, it can be done.

[DWx]

Its something useful to have. Yes it is better to kick lower for balance and power, but not being able to kick high can limit you. If you can kick high that flexibility is going to go some way to help prevent you from pulling muscles when kicking lower. And there may be situations when a high kick might be the best thing to do, same as jump kicks.

And people always seem to forget that kicking high isn't just about kicking the other person in the head. We practice sometime with kicks from a crouched position (like if you'd been knocked to the floor). You kicking high can just about reach a standing person's lower abdomen/groin area.

[Montana]

We use the groin as a viable target area, so we like high kickers,.,.,.A LOT!

Also vulnerable are tghe knees and inside of the thighs. In a street fight, which is what we train for with no rules, high kicks are great...if they connect. But if not, they leave you off balance and quite vulnerable to countestrikes.

There's only been one person I've met in my 30+ yearas in the arts and watched spar in a tournament that really impressed me with the speed and accuracy of his high kicks. I don't remember his name, but he was a Canadian (I think out of Calgary) that practiced Savate. Man, that guy was fast, balanced and accurate! The bnext month he was flying to france to compete in (if memory serves me...) the Silver Cup?

[Dobie1979]

Thanks for the input. I've been training in Karate for a little over two years now. Lately I've been just starting to think about things and question techniques, rather than just doing them mindlessly like a robot. I'd like to think its my evolution as a martial artist.... lol I agree with Montana's take, that the inside of the leg and knees are also my targets. If I can disrupt he balance while keeping mine. Yea me!

[LittleW]

High kicks are good for street fights, Montana?

That's just what my trainer always tells us they are not for. Because on the street you are likely to wear tight trousers and may be unable to stretch your legs enough.

[ninjanurse]

Whether you agree on their validity or not, learning to kick high has the benefits of developing better balance, muscle control, flexibility, and strength (to name a few)....and that in turn makes any kick you do better.

[sensei8]

Even though my style is predominately only kick waist down, I learned TKD for a year when I was in high school. Having said that, I still kick low most of the time, but when the opportunity arises itself, I'll then kick high with ease.

I've had my share of being on the end of many TKD kicks, and in that, I've a ton of respect for anyone who's style has a lot of high kicks.

Ducking works but an axe kick can end that idea quickly...I know from experience.

[Montana]

High kicks are good for street fights, Montana?

That's just what my trainer always tells us they are not for. Because on the street you are likely to wear tight trousers and may be unable to stretch your legs enough.

High kicks are good for one thing IMHO and that's for flash. Which I'm totally against in the martial arts.

[bushido_man96]

High kicks are good for street fights, Montana?

That's just what my trainer always tells us they are not for. Because on the street you are likely to wear tight trousers and may be unable to stretch your legs enough.

High kicks are good for one thing IMHO and that's for flash. Which I'm totally against in the martial arts.

I agree that flash is not good. High kicks can be basic though, and a well-placed, well-timed one, can be beneficial. I won't argue that it isn't a "high percentage" move for self-defense. But when you do get down to the brass tacks of what self-defense is, you can strip around 90% of the techniques any style has, in my opinion.