Learn How To Kick: Kicking Effectively (american martial art photos) in a Self-Defense or Combat Situation Part 2 of 10
March 31st, 2008
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This ten article series will deal with the various components that need to be addressed when considering the utilization of a particular kick in a combat or self-defense situation. These ten components can also be used by the tournament competitor although certain segments would have to be modified slightly for the tournament aspects of kicking, rather than the more intensive nature of using a kick or kicks in combat. Although all of these individual components are important, they are most effective when combined together and utilized correctly when executing a kick.
Although I will only be discussing one of the components in this article, here is the complete list of all ten of them.
1. Your Kicking Ability
2. Your Intended Application
3. The Environment
4. Telegraphing
5. Striking Implement
6. Striking the Correct Target
7. Initial Impact
8. Impact
9. Retraction or Follow Through
10. Return to Fighting Position
Component Two; Your Intended Kicking Application:
How do you intend to apply your kick or kicks? Are you using them to set-up another technique, or are you using them as a finishing technique? Are you applying them at a low section, midsection, or high section level? Lets take a look at each one of these possibilities.
As a Set-Up Technique:
Are you using your kick as a way to distract or off-balance your opponent in an effort to close the distance and set-up a more effective technique? This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example; executing a low section kick in order to draw your opponents attention away from punches intended for the head, or kicking low section in order to off-balance your opponent as you shoot in and go for a takedown. The combinations are virtually endless.
My instructors were always adamant about telling me to use my kicks to set-up my hands and my hands to set-up my kicks. This is very sound and practical advice.
As a Finishing Technique:
Are you using your kick as a finishing technique after already setting-up and hurting your opponent with something else? This too can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example; utilizing a left jab followed by a right cross to the head, with a low roundhouse kick to the outside of the opponents thigh or knee to finish him off, or utilizing the same hand combination followed by a kick to the groin. The combinations that are available to you in order to use your kicks as a finishing technique are virtually endless.
Regardless of how you utilize your kicks, they should be executed in such a way that they are never seen by your opponent until after they have already hit him.
Kicking Low Section:
I consider low section kicks to be kicks applied to anywhere from the level of the thigh down to and including the foot itself.
One of the best reasons to initially kick low as a set-up technique is to redirect your opponents attention from you to the pain he is now feeling somewhere on his leg or foot. This will have a tendency to not only make your opponent more hesitant to attack, but it also opens up his head for you to attack with your hands.
Kicking at a low section level, although still balancing on one leg, is a lot more stable than kicking at a midsection or high section level. This minimizes the risk to you while still allowing you to use your more powerful weapons, your legs.
In general, it is harder for your opponent to see a low section kick coming than it is a midsection or high section kick. Of course this is all relative to the skill of the person kicking.
Kicking Midsection:
I consider midsection kicks to be kicks applied to anywhere on the body (front, back, and sides) from the level of the groin to the height of the solar plexus.
One of the best reasons to kick to the midsection is after already hitting your opponent with one or two punches to the head. This usually disorients him enough to allow you the opportunity to land a kick to the groin or solar plexus which can effectively end the fight.
A very important point to remember when kicking at a midsection or high section level is the ease in which your opponent can grab your kicking leg if you dont execute your kick correctly by returning your kicking leg to the ground faster than when it came off the ground when you first initiated the kick. I guarantee you that you do not want to be hopping around on one foot while your opponent is holding on to the other. Doing so will result in nothing but pain and embarrassment for the kicker.
Kicking High Section:
For the most part, I do not recommend kicking at a high section level and will go so far as to say that 99% of the time it should not be done. However, like anything, there is that 1% of the time that it can and does work effectively. Whether a high section kick is effective or not is primarily determined by the skill level of the kicker. Although there are other extenuating factors involved that are generally not under the control of the kicker. These factors will be discussed in the third article in the series.
Like the old saying goes, Its better to be safe than sorry. This applies very appropriately to the use of high section kicks in a self-defense situation. Therefore, for the most part, I recommend limiting the use of your kicks to low and midsection levels.
The next article in this series will deal with the third of ten components needed to kick effectively in a combat or self-defense situation. That component is, The Environment.
Shawn Kovacich is a high ranking black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Shawn is also a two time world record holder for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Shawn is the author of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chikara-kan.com/shoppingcart/Wheel-Kick-p-16134.html">Wheel Kick</a>, volume two in the highly acclaimed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chikara-kan.com/shoppingcart">Achieving Kicking Excellence</a> series.
Shinto Ryu - General Background
Shinto ryu is one of the disciplines practised under the umbrella organisation of the European Martial Arts Academy. Its name means natures way or spirit of nature ” shinto meaning nature or shrine and ryu meaning the way. It is by understanding its name that we gain an insight into how the system works, by developing self-defence skills in a natural way. Shinto ryu is a street defence strategy encompassing the hard (forceful self-defence) and soft (acceptance and deflection) elements of various martial arts styles. It has developed into a unique self-defence system suitable for all, irrespective of age, fitness or gender. Shinto ryu teaches practitioners skills they can adapt to any situation: hard techniques might be required in response to aggression or physical violence, yet Shinto ryus softer techniques might be more appropriate in an unsolicited or threatening situation. Philosophy: The philosophy of this art does not manifest itself in seeking harm. Instead, it strives to equip practitioners with techniques that allow them to walk away from difficult situations. Defusing techniques are of utmost importance, but it needs confidence to utilise these techniques effectively. In Practice: Shinto ryu is a modern discipline. Practical techniques are taught based on a star movement, which allows one to defend oneself from any conceivable angle ” be it standing or seated. Reality is the key to this form of self-defence. Practitioners are taught how to respond to different real-world situations, such as being threatened on public transport, for example, in cars, at work and many other environments. Shinto ryu also teaches one how to improvise with objects one is likely to have at hand, such as using a chair or small table as a barrier, as part of a self-defence strategy. The use of a shinai (bamboo stick) has also been incorporated, but not in the same way as in the art of Kendo. It is used to replicate a potential weapon such as a piece of wood, iron bar or pole that may be at hand, so that the practitioner can learn to strike and defend effectively.
- Thanaseelan, click on <a target="_new" href="http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com">http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com</a> to view his main blog. Don't forget to check out the categories on his blog.
Develop your Kiai - To Win More Battles
KIAI
Hector, one of the heroes of the Trojan war, had such a fearsome war-cry it would drive whole armies back, Medieval Irish warriors were known to instill fear in even the toughest most disciplined English troops. The druids used a low-droning sound to un-nerve the Roman legions in the battle field, and G.I.’s returning from the pacific after world war 2 tell of a paralyzing Batlle-cry that the Japanese used during bayonet charges.
Oriental B.S.? Martial-arts fantasy or just proper psychology and physics applied at the right moment?
In one form or another, The Kiai or spirit shout has been touted to be an effective psychological weapon in the battle field or in one-on-one combat. Whether you are a believer in this or not, the Kiai, when executed properly is supposed to achieve the following:
1. Rally the troops. The Kiai is supposed to instill courage and ferocity in a full-frontal assault.Projected into an opponent, the kiai can paralyze the mind momentarily
2. a sudden un expected shriek causes the mind to look for the origins of the sound- thereby distracting him/her for a moment thus creating an opening
3. the Kiai is a spontaneous expression of individual courage and ferocity, in essence the kiai should ( or is supposed to ) psych you up.
4. Conversely - when the opponent is expecting a Kiai and it is not delivered - the effect is the same - the mind is expecting the battle-cry and is occupied with the expectation - thus distracting the opponent again.
As an ancient flowery Japanese text commands your kiai should fill your lungs and explode from your hara , it should reverberate like a thousand samurai storming into battle
Franz von Muhlfeld
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