High kicks

[Spodo Komodo]

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.

I completely agree NN, last night we spent an hour completely taking apart our kicks and kicking as high as we could (uncomfortably) manage. By the end of the session we did some kicks at our usual height (a low-ish chudan for me) and the difference in speed, power and "snap" was really quite surprising. My higher kicks were always quite lazy and sloppy as I was concentrating on height and not so much on form, by putting in a lot of work on the form side my kicks have got higher but more importantly they have got a heck of a lot better.

But I could do with a good sit down for most of today

[DWx]

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 don't agree they're just for flash. A well placed high kick is likely to result in a KO and its just not nice getting kicked in the face either. Side kick to the body and you can suck it up, take a side kick in the face (esp. if you're moving in at the same time) and you're lucky if you don't get sparked. Once you develop the flexibility and strength, its no more effort to do a high kick than it is to throw a middle one. I'm not saying go into a fight only throwing high kicks, but if your opponent opens up his head and you're too far away to land a punch, kick him in the face.

[Montana]

I agree that if a kick to the head connects it can end the fight immediately. No argument from me on that one.

The objection I have to high kicks is that they are relatively easy to avoid and couinter if you train for that, and watch for the signs of an impending high kick and are ready for them.

Those of you who have expressed that high kicks are effective, I'd be curious to know if you train to defend against them, such as attacking the groin and knees, sweeps and take downs,.

[DWx]

I agree that if a kick to the head connects it can end the fight immediately. No argument from me on that one.

The objection I have to high kicks is that they are relatively easy to avoid and couinter if you train for that, and watch for the signs of an impending high kick and are ready for them.

Those of you who have expressed that high kicks are effective, I'd be curious to know if you train to defend against them, such as attacking the groin and knees, sweeps and take downs,.

The nature of TKD is that we have a lot of high kicks so we'd be stupid not to train defenses and counters for them. But then because we have defenses, the high kickers have to get real good at kicking high to get through their opponent's defense and avoid the counters. They're only easy to avoid and counter if you're no good at them and you shouldn't really be telegraphing that they're going high until you've already kicked the person anyway. In that they're no worse than mid- or low-line kicks. They chamber from the same positions (the exception being the axe kick which only really works high anyway) and the same motion applies.

What you do for defenses against them depends on the kick and the situation really. Just a few examples of what I do; Axe kicks are hard to block so in most cases move, but if you can, step into the kick and take the calf on the shoulder. From there its easy enough to sweep and finish them or you're in a position to strike. High roundhouses again, if you can step on the inside of them and check the kick you can strike or sweep. You run the risk of taking a hard hit on your arm but its no worse than if they kicked you in the ribs or thigh. Side kicks to the head are more difficult to stop but knocking them upwards to upset their balance works. Things like a switch/spinning high back kick or switch high spinning heel are a lot more difficult to deal with as they are mostly used as counters and come out much faster.

[Dobie1979]

This has been a good topic and appreicate all of the responses. It is great to how everyone feels on this subject and I'm learning a lot from everyone.

Thanks!

[bushido_man96]

High kicks can be very succeptible to counters. No arguement there. That's why high kicks have to be timed right, and thrown at the right time.

Look at the high kicks seen in MMA competitions from time to time. They are not very frequent, and when they land, they usually get results. Also, of the high kicks I've seen in MMA fights, I haven't seen anyone get taken down while standing on one leg.

The high kick is not the end all, be all of techniques. Its just another technique that, if trained properly, and used accordingly, can be another useful tool in the tool box.

[Montana]

High kicks can be very succeptible to counters. No arguement there. That's why high kicks have to be timed right, and thrown at the right time.

Look at the high kicks seen in MMA competitions from time to time. They are not very frequent, and when they land, they usually get results. Also, of the high kicks I've seen in MMA fights, I haven't seen anyone get taken down while standing on one leg.

The high kick is not the end all, be all of techniques. Its just another technique that, if trained properly, and used accordingly, can be another useful tool in the tool box.

A;so be aware that the groin and knees are not targets in MMA competitions. As far as I* know, all Okinawan karate teaches and train to use those two areas as viable targets in a street confrontation.

[Vagabond]

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.

As most people are stating, the training of high kicks lends valuables skills and balance to training. It also give you another tool to use if you need to use it. and IMHO and that of the receiver of this Tobi Mawashi Ko Geri, high kicks, even jumping one's are useful if you have the speed to employ them along with the power and technique.