Martial arts have become a very popular recreational-competitive sport in the Western world. One of the most useful moves common to almost all martial arts is kick. There are different types of football, each to be performed with its own method.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Front Kick
The front kick ("Mae Geri" in Japanese, "Ahp Chagi" in Korean) is generally used to strike an opponent's legs, solar plexus, throat or face. Punching the face doesn't have the same effect as kicking the shin. Due to its simplicity, the front kick can be used quickly and with low energy expenditure. It is often one of the first techniques taught to martial arts students.
Step 1. Get into a fighting stance
The best fighting stance varies between different disciplines, but the general rule is that the dominant leg is behind the other leg, with the foot slightly turned. The front foot, on the other hand, must remain straight. The trunk of the body generally follows the direction of the dominant leg (whoever has the dominant right leg will therefore be oriented to the right, and vice versa). The hands can be on guard or relaxed. To kick, the hands are (obviously) the least important thing.
Step 2. If you want to kick quickly, use your front foot (secondary leg)
On the other hand, if you want power, kick with your dominant leg.
Step 3. Lift the knee of the leg you want to kick with so that the thigh is parallel to the ground, roughly at the height of the waist or hips
This phase is called "chambering". Breathe in as you do it.
Step 4. Kick, quickly delivering a sharp frontal punch
With a front kick, you can use the sole or instep of the foot as an impact surface. When you kick in, it quickly pushes out the air in your lungs. Knowing how to regulate your breathing is very important, especially when you give a series of kicks (some, while kicking, forget to breathe: it is very easy to happen, more than you might think). So remember: inhale when you contract, exhale when you stretch. Developing an adequate technique will allow you to relax your body, since holding your breath means keeping the muscles too tense; the kick will therefore have to be much more controlled, it will be slower and less powerful, and you will end up getting tired sooner.
Step 5. Lower the leg until the thigh is again parallel to the ground
Step 6. Rest your leg on the ground
If you used the secondary leg for the kick, put it back in the starting position. If, on the other hand, you used the dominant leg, place it in the front position, where the secondary leg used to be (which you will then have to move back).
Step 7. Variations in execution include height, power, speed, and whether or not you put your foot back on the ground
In fact, many disciplines take advantage of techniques that allow you to kick several times with the same foot, without placing it on the ground.
Method 2 of 5: Side Kick
The side kick ("Yoko Geri" in Japanese, "Yuhp Chagi" in Korean) is a much more powerful kick. It is not intended for quick attacks, but rather to inflict significant damage on the opponent. It is also slightly more difficult to perform. A mental ploy that seems to work quite well - even for younger pupils - is the metaphor of the "blast in the barrel of a gun". It allows learners to imagine a bullet being inserted into the barrel of the weapon while the kicking leg is raised as high as possible. The bullet is then fired following the explosion inside the barrel. This image seems to really help students lift their leg as much as possible, then deliver the blow with the heel generating a lot of power.
Step 1. Get into a fighting stance
Step 2. Raise the back leg by bringing the knee to the chest and the foot to the hips (during the first periods, don't worry if you can't lift it that high, the key thing is that the sole of the foot is facing downwards, while the outer part - the cut - towards the opponent)
Sometimes this position is called the "charge position" because you are ready to fire.
Step 3. Kick in such a way that the shot draws a straight line from the charging position to the target
Hit with the heel of the foot or, if you are more experienced, with the "knife" foot. As you kick, rotate the sole of your foot so that your heel precisely hits the target.
Step 4. Return to the charging position
At the same time rotate the foot to the starting position.
Step 5. Place your foot on the ground, in front of you
The back leg should now be the one that was in front before the kick, and vice versa.
Method 3 of 5: Dry Side Kick
The dry side kick is a faster version of the side kick, often used to hit the opponent's groin.
Step 1. Get into a fighting stance
Step 2. Lift the foot with which you will kick off at the knee of the other leg, the one you are balancing with
Step 3. Arch your foot out towards the opponent (so you can also neutralize his kick)
Use the same foot position as the side kick.
Step 4. Without stopping, arch your foot back towards your knee
Step 5. Place your foot on the ground
Finish by getting back into combat stance.
Method 4 of 5: Round Kick (also known as Round Kick)
The round kick ("Mawashi Geri" in Japanese, "Dul-yoh Chagi" in Korean) is probably the most common kick in wrestling. It has the same power as a side kick, but is as quick as a front kick.
Step 1. Get into a fighting stance
Step 2. Raise one of your legs as if you were going to deliver a front kick
Using the front leg will provide the surprise effect, but the rear leg provides more and more aggressive force, because you can give yourself some momentum. Instead of holding the calf upright, with the knee pointing up, drop the knee as if you are pulling a front kick to the side. To do this correctly, it is very important that at the moment of the kick you rotate your hips … that's the secret! This is the charge position.
Step 3. Kick with a quick shot
You can hit with the sole or instep, or with the shin (depending on where you want to hit).
Step 4. Return to the charging position
Step 5. Rest your leg on the ground so that it is now the front leg (if it wasn't before)
Do this as soon as you have unloaded all your strength on the opponent.
Step 6. If you have mastered this move correctly, you should be able to follow the kick with your body without losing your center of gravity, and therefore your balance
The execution will be less robotic and softer.
Method 5 of 5: Jeet Kune Do Style Circular Back Leg Movement
This kick is more effective in the final phase, as it has a very strong push. The downside is that it doesn't look good, so you won't be able to use it to impress people.
Step 1. As usual, keep one leg in front and one in back
Raise your leg to deliver a straight stroke with the shin. If you hit with the sole or instep and perform the move correctly afterwards, you could really hurt. While the leg is in the air, don't give it a snap, but go with it. Karate experts may disagree, but they are capable of extending a leg even out of balance.
Advice
- Always maintain eye contact
- When you fight, try to vary the hits you take so that it can't be countered.
- For added kicking power, exhale each time you straighten your leg.
- Once you've found your balance, you can get more speed and power by pivoting on your heel while kicking your other foot.
- Always keep your guard up! You don't want to get hit in the face, or anywhere else!
- Don't bend over too much while kicking. Always keep your body as straight as possible.
- In a front kick, strike with the ball of the foot. In a side kick, hit with the cut.
- Before you experience a kick or punch at a person, ask for permission.
- To truly transfer energy to the goal, your center of gravity must move forward and not over the supporting leg when you kick the kick.
- It is a good idea to get some boxing equipment. Brands like MMA Zone or Cobra Brand are fine.
Warnings
- Remember to pull your leg back after the strike so that your opponent doesn't grab it.
- Pay attention to your knees when kicking. If you can, when you train try to avoid hitting the air, hit a heavy sack instead. Don't keep your knees stiff, but always a little bent.
- Don't kick with your spikes, you could get hurt. Use the lower part of the shin but still above the ankle.
- Kicks require a lot of training to be powerful without causing you pain, so don't experience them in a fight without training first!
- When fighting, use kicks as the finishing move after a long combination of punches, so as to inflict damage on your enemy that will make him move away from you.
