Seven Swords (DVD)

Effective Kicks for Street Defense

Author: Robert LaPointe
Date Posted: June 28, 2007

An old saying in martial arts self-defense is that you should keep your punches up and your kicks down. That is, don't kick above the waist. Like most rules, this one has some exceptions.

For example, if you're flexible and quick, there's no reason not to follow a blitz with a roundhouse to the head. In keeping with the above rule however, I'd say at least avoid leading with a high kick.

If you want to follow the rule strictly, here are two great kicks for the street.

1) Muay Thai leg kick. You probably know what this is. It's basically a roundhouse striking with the top of the foot and/or lower shin, delivered to the thigh (inside or outside, usually outside). I knew a guy from Virginia Beach who used to fight full contact kick boxing. He said he once saw a guy in a match get leg kicked so hard the guy threw up. That's a hard kick.

Fighter's can toughen up for it, but there's only so much you can do. Just think of the effect on someone who's not used to that sort of thing. Another thing to recommend it is that you're not causing serious injury, but you can demoralize the heck out of the other guy. Two or three good kicks and he may decide to call it a day and leave you alone.

2) This one's not very nice, and it will cause serious injury. Instep kick to the knee. It's low and fast. You don't need to have great flexibility and the risk of getting your leg grabbed is just about zero. It's a stomping kick so it has power enough to actually break someone's leg.

When I teach a self-defense seminar, this is the only kick I show them. If I'm doing a seminar at a corporation or large firm, most of the attendees aren't very athletic, and aren't dressed for a street fight, so this is an easy one for them to learn and practice. I have them begin by stomping on the floor so they get the motion, then I demonstrate the kick slowly on a volunteer. After that, I have them practice alone - not on a partner.

If you have a heavy bag, practice both these kicks full power and your body will know what to do when the time comes.

That's all for today.

Train like you mean it.

Rob LaPointe

About The Author

Sparring and Pushing Hands Gold Medalist Rob LaPointe has been practicing martial arts since 1973. He holds black belts in Kenpo Karate and Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu.

In addition to teaching martial arts and presenting workshops to members of all the Armed Services, including special forces members, as well as CIA, DEA, FBI, Department of State Foreign Service Officers, U.S. Customs Officers, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Exxon-Mobile Corporation, Rob has presented demonstrations and workshops to Washington, D.C. area businesses and agencies, including Georgetown University Hospital, Northern Virginia Hospital Center, Alexandria Hospital, Arlington Public Schools, USA Today, and Intelsat.

In 1999 he received an invitation from the American Physical Therapy Association, and was a featured speaker at their Annual Convention, which took place that year in Washington, D.C.

Rob's main websites are http://kungfufightingtips.com/ and http://indyinstructor.com/

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of Self-Defense articles.

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