Kicking tips

Weight shifts while kicking

When standing in a standard fighting stance, body weight is spread equally between the two feet. To kick, one foot must leave the floor; therefore, something must be done with the weight that is on that foot. There are two ways to deal with the weight while kicking: shift it to the other foot or do not shift it at all. Each method has some advantages and disadvantages.

If you shift weight:

• In the shift, weight shifts from the kicking foot to the other foot, so balance is maintained during the kick.
• The kicking leg is able to fully chamber before firing so maximum muscle force may be applied to the kick.
• If the kick misses it target or it is deflected or blocked, it may be quickly and easily re-chambered and fired again.
• While you may thrust or snap your weight behind a kick, the weight stays entered over the kicking foot, so, if the kicking foot is grabbed, you still have your balance and you have many counter options available.
• Your opponent may be able to read your weight shift and anticipate the kick.

If you do not shift weight

• If you do not shift, the weight does not move to the other foot so you are not balanced; in effect, you are falling during the kick.
• Since you are falling forward, he kicking leg does not chamber or only partially chambers. It must fire and retract quickly so you do not fall.
• If the kick misses its target or it is deflected or blocked, you must step forward to keep from falling, so the leg cannot kick again.
• The weight of the body is falling into the kick so it is applied to the kick to give it more mass and thus more power. The kick may be used to drive the opponent backward.
• Since there is no weight shift, there is no tell for the opponent to read so there is no way to anticipate the kick.
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