Sparring Kicks

Karate92

Kicks are more powerful and have greater reach than hand techniques. Their weakness lies in the having to stand on one leg and in how the recoil of the blow affects balance. Kicks are also slower than punches and thus are easier for the opponent to anticipate and respond. A strategy to avoid this is to raise your leg but not to indicate the type of kick to follow, such as by raising the leg for a front kick but instead doing a roundhouse kick. High kicks require good hip and leg flexibility and fitness. Know your own ability and limits.

Chamber kicking leg's knee as high as possible for:

More power. A kick that travels straight out from the hip will have the most power.
Greater selection of targets. From high chamber, it is easy to kick high, middle, or low depending on opponent's reaction. From a low chamber, all the opponent has to do is use a low block to stop the kick from going higher.
Slows opponent's reaction time. Since a kick may be delivered either high, middle, or low, the opponent does not know where to block.
Multiple kicks. If kick is re-cambered high, it is ready for another kick, or to be used as a block. If knee is dropped after a kick, it must be raised again to kick, which slows the next kick.
Allows a kick against a close-in opponent. With a high, tight chamber, you can kick an opponent that closes in on you or who is in close. A kick from the floor would be jammed between the two bodies
Kicks are more powerful and have greater reach than hand techniques. Their weakness lies in the having to stand on one leg and in how the recoil of the blow affects balance. Kicks are also slower than punches and thus are easier for the opponent to anticipate and respond. A strategy to avoid this is to raise your leg but not to indicate the type of kick to follow, such as by raising the leg for a front kick but instead doing a roundhouse kick. High kicks require good hip and leg flexibility and fitness. Know your own ability and limits.

Chamber kicking leg's knee as high as possible for:

More power. A kick that travels straight out from the hip will have the most power.

Greater selection of targets. From high chamber, it is easy to kick high, middle, or low depending on opponent's reaction. From a low chamber, all the opponent has to do is use a low block to stop the kick from going higher.

Slows opponent's reaction time. Since a kick may be delivered either high, middle, or low, the opponent does not know where to block.

Multiple kicks. If kick is re-cambered high, it is ready for another kick, or to be used as a block. If knee is dropped after a kick, it must be raised again to kick, which slows the next kick.

Allows a kick against a close-in opponent. With a high, tight chamber, you can kick an opponent that closes in on you or who is in close. A kick from the floor would be jammed between the two bodies
Page 2

Kicking tips:

Always maintain your balance. Snap the kick out and back as quickly as possible so you are on one foot as little as possible.
After a kick, step down where you want to step, not where you must step because of a loss of balance. If you have your balance, you can quickly follow up a technique with another technique.
Kicks are similar punches in that they must be in combination to be effective.
Begin with hips. Legs whip out from hips.
Use full-power only at full-extension.
Maintain straight line through the body, hips, and legs.
Do not make any sudden changes in rhythm and movement.
Use eye feints.
Use peripheral vision to detect movements.
Do not raise heel of support foot in an effort to gain height, you will lose power.
Legs are longer, so use it to your advantage.
Legs are more powerful than arms.
Legs are slower than arms.
Kicks are not easily seen because they are at the edge of vision.
When using a jump kick, do not bend knees before the jump. Your fighting stance should always have the knees bent, so, to jump, you just jump without any other extraneous movements.

Page 3

Side Snap Kick

The side snap kick is karate based but it has a use in Taekwondo, contrary to my first Taekwondo instructor, Master Ko. I once used a side snap kick while sparring and was so severely chastised that I never used it again for years.

The Taekwondo side thrust kick is chambered hip high and is re-chambered high. From its high chamber, it may then be easily thrown either high, middle, or low in a powerful, linear motion that is practically impossible to block. The only way to avoid it is to move the body backward or sideways. From the high re-chamber, it may then again be easily thrown either high, middle, or low.

The karate side snap kick is chambered to the knee, if chambered at all. From this low chamber, it lacks the power of the side thrust kick and it is easily blocked with any type of low block as the kick rises. However, it does have one use. Since the side snap kick travels upward from the floor, it may easily be slipped under an opponent's guard to strike the abdomen or lower ribs. For use in Taekwondo, the kick should be re-chambered high so a side thrust, hook, or round kick may be used next. In Taekwondo, the side snap kick is a one shot attack for a specific purpose.

Page 4

Front Kick

Avoid telegraphing the type of kick. While maintaining your guard, lift your bent knee to front, kick with the ball of the foot, and drive hips into target, snapping leg back fast to avoid it being grabbed or the support leg being swept. You may step forward after kick, using your momentum to gain a strong position. Alternatively, use sole or heel of foot to do front thrust kick to stop opponent’s approach and push opponent away. Timing and distancing will determine whether to use front snap kick or front thrust kick. Avoid kicking upwards in an arc in the only target is the chin.

Side Kick

Avoid using a snap kick to the jaw, which is effective but cannot be easily controlled and there is no clear route to the opponent’s jaw. Thrust kick off front leg, leaning back if opponent is approaching to increase distance. When kicking off back leg, bring knee up and around to opposite side into a high chamber, thrust hip inward pushing all weight into kick, re-chamber kick, and then return to a stance quickly. In defense, move to side, block open handed, and then use a side kick counter.

Roundhouse Kick

Use ball of foot for more depth so foot may penetrate behind a block. Use the instep for more reach. Avoid telegraphing by not leaning sideways. In defense, withdraw front leg and block downward and then attack with a rear leg round kick.

Page 5

180 Degree Axe Kick

If executed correctly, this kick may be devastating. When your opponent moves in to attack, spin as if you were throwing a spin side kick but bring the leg over the top as if executing a normal axe kick. There is no effective block if you bring the kick over the top of opponent's guard. Throw this kick just as your opponent moves into an attack.

Triple Round Kick

Throw a normal double round kick as normal but as the foot returns to the floor after the kicks, leave the body weight on the back leg. Then, just as your opponent moves in to attack, you may quickly and easily throw a side kick or round kick as opponent comes in.

Push Kick

Push kick is similar to a front snap kick. It is used in Thai Boxing but can be very effective in setting your opponent for a further attack. Bring the knee up to the chest and then push the leg straight forward into the opponent. If the kick hits the arms, then follow up with another kick. Useful when opponent is on the edge of the ring to push opponent out. Put your hips into the kick to push the opponent off balance or out of the ring.

Page 6

Reaching Axe Kick

Good technique to use on a taller opponent if you are able to axe kick to the head. From a fighting stance, step the back leg forward past the lead leg and throw an axe kick with lead leg but lean back and reach forward with the toes and look to score with the toes as opposed to the heel in a conventional axe kick.

Kick Combinations:

One kick may or may not score. Using a two or more kick combination has a better chance of scoring. The first kick draws the opponent's guard to make an opening for the subsequent kicks. The first kick is more of a fake but it may also score, so make it a proper kick, not just a flick.
From closed stance, execute rear leg middle round kick to draw guard down and quickly execute rear leg high round kick with other foot or high spin heel kick or rear leg high axe kick or high spin hook kick.
From closed stance, execute lead leg middle front kick to draw guard down and quickly execute rear leg high round kick or middle spin side kick or high spin hook kick.
From closed stance, execute lead leg middle side kick to draw guard down and then quickly execute middle spin side kick.
From closed stance, execute lead leg high blind side axe kick to draw guard to blind side and quickly execute high spin hook kick or middle spin side kick or lead leg middle round kick.
From closed stance, execute middle spin side kick to drive opponent back and quickly execute another middle spin side kick.
From closed stance, execute rear leg high blind side axe kick to draw guard to blind side and quickly execute middle spin hook kick or rear leg middle round kick.
From closed stance, execute lead leg middle front kick to push opponent backward and quickly execute middle spin side kick or high spin hook kick.

Page 7

To increase chances of scoring, you can add another kick to make a three-kick combination:

From closed stance, execute lead leg high blind side axe kick to draw guard up, quickly execute middle spin side kick to draw guard down, and then execute high spin hook kick.
From closed stance, execute rear leg middle round kick to draw guard down to blind side, quickly execute another rear leg middle round kick to draw guard down to that side, and then execute rear leg high blind side axe kick.
From closed stance, execute lead leg low front kick to push the opponent backward, quickly execute rear leg low front kick to keep opponent moving backward, and then execute middle spin side kick.
From open stance, execute rear leg middle round kick to draw guard down to open side, quickly execute lead leg high round kick to draw guard up, and then execute middle spin side kick.
From open stance, execute rear leg middle front kick to push opponent backward, quickly execute middle spin round kick to draw guard down to open side, and then execute high spin hook kick.
From open stance, execute lead leg middle front kick to push opponent backward, quickly execute rear leg middle round kick to open side, and then execute high spin hook kick.
From open stance, execute rear leg middle front kick to push opponent backward, quickly execute middle spin round kick to draw guard down to open side, and then execute high spin hook kick.
From open stance, execute lead leg high axe kick to open side, quickly execute rear leg middle front kick to push opponent backward, and then execute middle spin side kick.

Page 8

Some combinations use drawing techniques to lure opponent into the combination:

From open stance, execute lead leg middle side kick, as opponent skips backward to avoid the kick and attempts rear leg round kick counter, catch him with middle spin side kick.
From open stance, execute lead leg high axe kick to open side, as opponent skips backward to avoid the kick and attempts rear leg round kick counter, catch him with high spin hook kick.
From open stance, execute lead leg middle front kick to push opponent backward, as opponent skips backward to avoid the kick and attempts rear leg round kick counter, catch him with middle spin side kick.
From open stance, execute lead leg high axe kick to open side, as opponent skips backward to avoid the kick and attempts spin hook kick counter, catch him with middle spin side kick.
From closed stance, execute rear leg middle round kick to blind side, as opponent skips backward to avoid the kick and attempts rear leg round kick counter, catch him with high spin hook kick.
From closed stance, execute rear leg middle front kick to push opponent backward, as opponent skips backward to avoid the kick and attempts rear leg round kick counter, catch him with high open side inside-outside axe hook kick.
From closed stance, execute lead leg middle front kick to push opponent backward, as opponent skips backward to avoid the kick and attempts spin side kick counter, catch him with middle rear leg side kick to the hip to jam movement.
From closed stance, execute lead leg middle round kick to open side, as opponent skips backward switching sides to avoid the kick and attempts rear leg round kick counter, catch him with middle spin side kick.

Page 9

Foot Sweeps

Not a scoring technique in its own right, but can be used (if rules permit) to unsettle opponent leaving them defenseless on the floor. Requires good timing and use of hips and a sense of opponent’s balance and commitment. Consider opponent’s weight distribution to decide which leg to sweep. As an attack, use a sharp decisive kick low on opponent’s front leg with the instep or sole of the foot, aiming through the target. Set up opponent first by moving slightly to the side so that their feet appear on a single line to upset their balance. In defense, use a sweep to the supporting leg with your calf muscle after catching opponent’s kick before they can land their kicking foot back on the floor. Follow up a sweep immediately with a scoring technique, a slight hesitation may give the opponent the opportunity to counter attack or roll away.

Combinations

Do not restrict attacks to single attacks. Develop combination attacks, three or four rapid, diverse, and unexpected consecutive hand and foot techniques. Combinations are easy to do against a bag but are difficult to execute properly in sparring. They must flow fluently and quickly. The initial move is important since it sets opponent up for your second move and covers the distance between you and opponent. They may also be used to check opponent’s reaction time and response to the technique to see where a possible weakness or opening may be. They also aid the techniques that may follow by drawing the opponent into making a counterattack or engaging you, or to raise or lower opponent’s guard.

Avoid the feeling of building up intensity in combinations with the intention of scoring with the final technique. The first techniques should not be used as distracting feints leaving you vulnerable in the early stages of your attack. Every technique in a combination should have maximum commitment. While the opponent remains off balance and unable to counter effectively, you can score.