Examining Kicks (diary entry)

07.01.15 This session provided an interruption to my client’s submission grappling course. We refocused on kicking for this session and the next one whilst he recovers from an operation unrelated to training. This presents us with a good opportunity to work around an injury. Adaption is a key to a healthy training mind. We focused entirely on kicking tonight. The method we took was to examine the mechanics of a basic kick, bring in variations if needed. Train them in motion and then with power, and finally in combination with other kicks and also hand strikes. The kicks covered were front kick, side kick and round kick. We began with a basic pushing front kick, which is the most common type of front kick used in Muay Thai and MMA competition. This is generally performed with the front leg and delivered like a jab. This is the way I re-introduced it to my client. We later added in the Newton’s Cradle footwork to add a greater shift in the push. The rear leg front kick was also covered. We covered different ways to angulate the front kick, making it a stomp or a more piercing strike. Some of the diagonal stamping kicks are useful alternatives to low round kicks in Muay Thai and MMA competition. There was also the snap kick variation, which is largely a self-defence technique targeted at the groin. Finally the angulation of the push kick turned into a front leg side kick. Side kicks are not commonly taught in Muay Thai or MMA. However, the Gracie Jiu Jitsu side of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Helio’s side) encourage it as one of the few strikes in their self-defence system. Where low kicks are permitted the side kick can leave hamstrings exposed. However, I have often found it to be very effective, especially as a recovery technique, a defensive technique and when used from a grounded position. Round kicks from the front and rear were then covered. We looked at the Thai execution of this technique, which uses a free swinging motion from the hip rather than snapping off the knee joint. The kick is often taught with a full 360 rotation to encourage the striker to swing the leg. However, I am always concerned about recovery, so teach a cut-off point whereby the striking leg changes to a shin-block position. Finally we looked kicking from the ground and from a grounded to standing position.