Kicking Tips
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Important tips on kicking
- Kicking is what Taekwondo is known for; however, do not forget punches. The old saying goes, "If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail." If you specialize in kicks, you tend to use kicks even when they are not the best weapon to use at the time. If you have a large repertoire of techniques, that use both hands and feet, you will be a more effective fighter.
- Taekwondo tends to concentrate on high kicks, however, for self-defense, low kicks are the most effective. You must train on when, where, and how to use low kicks.
- Since most self-defense fights will end up on the ground, at some point so you must learn to use both defensive and offensive kicks from the ground.
- Opponents in Taekwondo sparring tend to fight at a long kicking range. You must learn to kick when in close range, which involves learning new kicks and using old kicks in different ways.
- Other than foot shape and striking area, feet have nothing to do with kicking. The two areas of concern for kicks are the knee and the hip. Speed and power come from using these two areas correctly, so do not think about the foot while performing a kick; it is only it is only the striking point.