The roundhouse kick when preformed properly is one of the most powerful strikes that exist.
Some people believe that this type of technique is too fancy, elaborate, and not practical. This misconception may be due to movies where people do a very high or spinning roundhouse kick.
While these are not bad, they are difficult for most people to do effectively with speed and or strength.
The fastest, easiest and most powerful roundhouse kick is the one that is below that waist of the person kicking. If the roundhouse kick is higher then the waist of the person performing the strike, it looses power and take more time and flexibility.
It can be used very effectively by targeting the lower targets of the inner or outer thighs or more importantly to target the nerves that supply these large muscles. It can also be used to target the knees and cause serious damage.
You can use it as a very effective distracting strike from your front leg or as a very effective power strike from your rear most leg.
A low roundhouse kick is also good because many people while fighting or sparing are too concentrated on their upper bodies and a low attack may be unexpected and harder to block.
The reason the roundhouse kick is one of the more powerful strikes is because it is a whole body motion. The roundhouse kick using the back or front leg starts with bringing the leg up, turning the non-kicking foot so that is parallel with the object that is being struck, and extending the kicking leg while rotating the upper body through. This, if done correctly, can generate a powerful force able to stun or knock down most opponents.
An important note to remember while performing the roundhouse kick or any strike is to aim at least six inches past the target. This will ensure that this technique strikes through the opponent, not just hit the outside of the target without the maximum force that could have been applied had the aiming been correct.
Aside from points of aim, the roundhouse kick offers several options for the person kicking. The target can be struck with the top of the foot, shin, or the ball of the foot when the foot is pointed instead of flat.
All of these options offer distinct advantages. Striking with the top of the foot offers a greater reach if the opponent is further away, while striking with the shin creates a stronger force since the shin is a stronger and harder then the top of the foot. Striking with the shin also provides a larger area to strike and therefore there is a greater chance of making contact with the target.
Another option is to strike with the ball of the foot. This option allows the kicker to penetrate into deep tissue or access nerves more effectively. While the roundhouse kick can look fancy it is very practical, simple, and powerful while offering many different options to the kicker on what part of the foot or leg to use.
For these reasons, the roundhouse kick is one of the best options to use whether sparring or if involved in a real fight.
Malcolm Bale
2nd Degree Blackbelt - Jiu-Jitsu
Fightwize-Self-Defense
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Sunday, September 23, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Simple kicks for self defense
Simple kicks for self defense
Your feet can be very effective tools for striking. There are many Simple kicks for self defense that can be carried out by virtually anyone. With a little practice, you can be very effective with them.
Strikes with the feet need not be aimed high or be complex. There is no need for jumping or spinning types of kick. In fact, fine motor skills like that, cannot even be carried out during the adrenal rush of an attack by most people.
As with all self defense, techniques should consist of gross motor skills. These are simple body movements that can be carried out by virtually anyone. All of your kicks can be aimed below the waist, this helps you maintain your balance and enables you to deliver your kicks with power.
Some examples of Simple kicks for self defense are firstly the shin kick. This is just like kicking a soccer ball with the inside of your foot, in this case you’re targeting the shin with your foot. This can cause a great deal of pain, especially if you are wearing a sturdy pair of shoes.
Next is the front kick, this is simply executed by lifting your knee and extending your foot towards the intended target. The sidekick is carried out by lifting your knee and extending your foot to the side of your body, targeting the attackers knees or thighs.
A simple version of a back kick is to lift your knee and extend your heel to an intended target to your rear. Strike the target with the heel part of you foot if possible.
Simple kicks for self defense can be made to be more effective with a little applied knowledge. Twist the body, rotate the hips, strike through the target and target the weak or sensitive areas of the body. These are all effective additions in simple kicks for self defense.
There are several sensitive targets below the waist which are very effective. These targets would include the groin, inner or outer thighs, knees, shins and the instep.
Different parts of the foot can be used for different kicks. For example, the toes could be used for a round kick to thigh. The instep could also be used for a round kick. Your shin could also be used for such a kick. Other simple kicks for self defense would include the ball and heel on the bottom of the Foot.
It does help to learn an effective stance, from which to strike. An effective stance, not only disguises your intention to strike, it puts you in a more protected position and allows you to exert maximum power into your strike.
You can kick effectively, from your front leg or from your rear leg. Generally, fast distracting strikes will be executed using your front leg which would normally be closer to the attacker. Your rear leg, normally further from the attacker, can be used to execute your power kicks.
Unlike most martial arts, you are already capable of carrying out most necessary self defense techniques right now, you just haven’t been shown what they are just yet. It still takes practice to build confidence and give you the ability to carry them out in a given situation.
It is always important to remember, that most people are not capable of carrying out fine or complex motor skills in a high stress situation like that of an attack. Ensure all your strikes, only involve simple body movements and you practice them regularly.
Train Hard – Fightwize!
Your feet can be very effective tools for striking. There are many Simple kicks for self defense that can be carried out by virtually anyone. With a little practice, you can be very effective with them.
Strikes with the feet need not be aimed high or be complex. There is no need for jumping or spinning types of kick. In fact, fine motor skills like that, cannot even be carried out during the adrenal rush of an attack by most people.
As with all self defense, techniques should consist of gross motor skills. These are simple body movements that can be carried out by virtually anyone. All of your kicks can be aimed below the waist, this helps you maintain your balance and enables you to deliver your kicks with power.
Some examples of Simple kicks for self defense are firstly the shin kick. This is just like kicking a soccer ball with the inside of your foot, in this case you’re targeting the shin with your foot. This can cause a great deal of pain, especially if you are wearing a sturdy pair of shoes.
Next is the front kick, this is simply executed by lifting your knee and extending your foot towards the intended target. The sidekick is carried out by lifting your knee and extending your foot to the side of your body, targeting the attackers knees or thighs.
A simple version of a back kick is to lift your knee and extend your heel to an intended target to your rear. Strike the target with the heel part of you foot if possible.
Simple kicks for self defense can be made to be more effective with a little applied knowledge. Twist the body, rotate the hips, strike through the target and target the weak or sensitive areas of the body. These are all effective additions in simple kicks for self defense.
There are several sensitive targets below the waist which are very effective. These targets would include the groin, inner or outer thighs, knees, shins and the instep.
Different parts of the foot can be used for different kicks. For example, the toes could be used for a round kick to thigh. The instep could also be used for a round kick. Your shin could also be used for such a kick. Other simple kicks for self defense would include the ball and heel on the bottom of the Foot.
It does help to learn an effective stance, from which to strike. An effective stance, not only disguises your intention to strike, it puts you in a more protected position and allows you to exert maximum power into your strike.
You can kick effectively, from your front leg or from your rear leg. Generally, fast distracting strikes will be executed using your front leg which would normally be closer to the attacker. Your rear leg, normally further from the attacker, can be used to execute your power kicks.
Unlike most martial arts, you are already capable of carrying out most necessary self defense techniques right now, you just haven’t been shown what they are just yet. It still takes practice to build confidence and give you the ability to carry them out in a given situation.
It is always important to remember, that most people are not capable of carrying out fine or complex motor skills in a high stress situation like that of an attack. Ensure all your strikes, only involve simple body movements and you practice them regularly.
Train Hard – Fightwize!
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