There is nothing new about how to perform a fast and effective kick, regarding the basic front kick and the sidekick in the main, but there are a couple of things that do tend to be overlooked when it comes to this specific subject. Focusing more on the front kick in the main, but the sidekick also comes under this subject, is how to make the kick more powerful and fast.
Keeping in mind that there are two types of kicks - we have the snap kick, that is more aimed at recovering the kick, or the thrusting kick that is aimed at being more powerful and penetrating in nature. With the added benefit of taking someone off balance, take note. The front snap kick however is the one we are looking at now. Although often thought of as being less powerful the front snap kick is the more practical of the two when it comes to getting the kick out and back fast into a recovery position. A much needed thing to do when it comes to recovering your balance and being ready to defend or attack again if needed, and also, more practical if finding yourself in a street fight situation. Although I hasten to add that the front and side thrusting kicks are also practical at times under certain combat conditions. Many, not everyone of course, do tend to use a front or side snap kick without using the full potential, meaning power, when performing this type of kick. Even if hip snap is used to drive the kick out it is still more like a flick of the foot, for want of a better term, than a kick that is aimed at stopping someone in their tracks - but all is not lost. The trick, or if you prefer the technique to use, when throwing a kick is to return the kick back faster than the kick goes out. A fast recovery of these types of kicks are involved already but if more focus is given on recoiling the kick, like a fast jab punch for example, then by the very nature of returning the kick, far faster than the kick goes out then the kick will dramatically improve, if done correctly of course. It will also force the student to use far more hip snap than before behind the kick when doing things in this way. To fully benefit and master kicking in this way it is highly recommended that the kick is specifically aimed at belt height only until fully mastered to the point that it becomes instinctive. It is also a kick that can be done in under 1 second when practiced over a period of time. The one second kick period I hasten to add includes the start of the kick to the kick being back on the ground again. This fast recoil method is also ideal when doing the sidekick in just the same way, as having the kicking leg lifted off the ground for more than just one second requires wasted energy. The only time that a kick remains lifted off the group for more than just one second in time is when a front or side thrusting kick is used. For a related article on kicking methods in the martial arts click >HERE< Comments are closed.
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