KICKS

 As you know, in Kempo Jutsu we have many kicks that we teach and use. Shihan Kyoshi Slaven used to tell me “kicking to the head is as silly as punching to the feet” and if we think about it, for the general student that is certainly true. Not too many people have the flexibility and muscle tone necessary to kick like our Sensei Dale or Sensei Delicia. They can both place a foot slowly and deliberately at the side of a tall person’s head and still remain in perfect balance and control. For the remainder of us, we should consider kicks are to be done up to waist height or, if you are an experienced martial artist, the centre ribs.

 There are many kicks that require a level of acrobatic ability by the practitioner and others that require no more than the ability to lift a knee and extend a leg. I will attempt to describe the more common kicks we use in Kempo Jutsu and some of my thoughts on each of them.

 Before any exercise you must warm up your body by exercise and undertake a thorough stretching program to minimise any muscular strains. You should practice slowly and with both legs. If you are lucky enough to have a training partner then visit your local martial arts supplier and buy a kick bag. They cost about $60 and are well worth the investment as kicking into an object will reduce the risk of hurting yourself.

 This information is designed to allow any interested person the ability to practice a basic kick. To gain a level of competence we suggest you attend a recognised and accredited martial arts school.

 Groin Kick

 Without doubt, this is the best kick we have. It is easy to do, requires little practice and is debilitating in its effect. The main thing to remember with this kick is that it has to be executed very fast and the knee must be raised to the point you seek to strike the groin to. It can be done off the front or rear leg.

 There are 5 steps to the kick and they can be practiced without a training partner in the peaceful environment of one’s own home.

Step 1. Adopt a left leg forward fighting stance.

Step 2. Move your weight onto the front leg whilst raising your right knee to the height of the chest of an imaginary opponent (same height as you). Keep your right foot pointing down and as close to your bottom as you can.

Step 3. Extend the lower half of your right leg forward so that your right leg is almost totally straight. Be careful to maintain the relationship of your leading hand with your leading leg. i.e. as you change which leg is front so you change which hand is in front.

Step 4. Return your right leg to the position in Step 2.

Step 5. Return your right leg to the position in Step 1.

In executing the kick be sure to raise your knee otherwise you will certainly overextend your leg causing substantial damage to your kneecap (patella). Over the years I have seen many students that have failed to observe this simple instruction and some have had to have surgery to rectify the damage done.

 This kick is so simple to practice and finding the target is almost guaranteed as your opponent’s legs form a Y thus guiding the leg. Ensure your hands are in a fighting position and avoid dropping them as you kick, likewise do not look down as you execute the kick as this simply telegraphs your intention.

 Students often ask me which part of the leg should strike the target and the answer is…..it doesn’t matter.  The Shihan used to tell me that a groin kick should be able to be delivered in the time it takes to execute a blink of your eye. Believe me when I tell you he could do it in half that time, simply too fast to see.

 Round Kick 

This is a popular kick and can be aimed at almost any level from the calf to, if you are able, the side of the head. It is difficult to master as it requires the student to create a partial circle as they kick. Executed properly it has the ability to break what ever it strikes.

Step 1. Adopt a left leg forward fighting stance.

Step 2. Transfer your weight to the left leg and raise your right leg out to the right side of your body, pointing the knee out and ensure the foot is as close to your bottom as is possible.

Step 3. Pivot anti-clockwise on the supporting leg until your right knee is pointing directly to what was the front of your body in Step 1. The knee should point at where you wish to kick.

Step 4. Extend the lower half of the right leg until the leg is straight. At this point the foot should be where the knee was pointing, your hands should be in an on guard position and your body should be as upright as your flexibility will allow you to be.

Step 5. Return the right foot to the position of Step 2.

Step 6. Return the right foot to the position of Step 1.

This kick is effective to almost any point of your opponent. The striking part of your leg varies on several things, the more popular parts are, the instep, the shin and the ball of the foot. I like the kick as it uses many muscles and it is truly exciting to watch. The two greatest faults I have seen over the years are firstly students failing to pivot on their supporting foot in Step 3. This will result in you tearing muscles and tendons around the knee joint and secondly, students often move their hands away from the strike point, thus making balance an impossibility.

Front Kick

If you ever watch a Thai boxing bout you will see this is a common kick, it is quick and effective. It is one of the first kicks we teach in our formal classes and, like the groin kick is quite easy to do.

Step 1. Adopt a left leg forward fighting stance.

Step 2. Transfer your weight to the left leg and bring the right leg forward so the knee is raised in front of your body. The knee should be pointing quite high, say to the head on an imaginary opponent. As you do this point your foot away from your knee but pull your toes back so that the ball of your foot is exposed,

Step 3. Extend your right leg forwards so that the ball of your foot is the furthest point from your body. As you do this change your lead hand.

Step 4. Return your right leg to the position of Step 2.

Step 5. Return to the position of Step 1.

 

This kick can be aimed at either the stomach or the solar plexus and can be used to either explode into the opponent or to push the opponent away. I like the simplicity and effectiveness of the kick. The major faults I have seen over the years are, the dropping of the hands, not lifting the knee and of course failure to pull the toes back and strike with the ball of the foot. Effectively done, this kick can also be executed in the time it takes to blink.

Kicks are like everything else we do, they need to be practised often and regularly. Simply knowing how to do a kick does not mean a student can effectively defend against an attacker. Knowledge by itself can be dangerous as theory is not the master of ability.

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