Most effective kick

[nelson]

Dear Kenpo brothers and sisters:

What do you consider to be your most effective kicking technique?
Mine is the side thrust kick.
What is yours?

Nelson Kari

[Dianhsuhe]

Do you mean the one I am best at performing?

[John M. La Tourrette]

Dear Kenpo brothers and sisters:

What do you consider to be your most effective kicking technique?
Mine is the side thrust kick.
What is yours?

Nelson Kari

Now?

When I'm old?

Why not when I was in my 50's?

Here goes.

Your word "technique" had the presupposition of a kicking combination.

Right dorsum to testicles, right dorsum to inside of his left knee (above it 2 inches), right ball kick to solar plexus. The sequence of the kicks could "loosly" be named 1) Front Kick, 2) Wheel Kick, 3) Wheel Kick.

DOC JOHN

[nelson]

Dear Kenpo brothers and sisters:

I'm sorry if I was not specific enough in my question. I was curious as to what kicks you all favor for a primary attack to an opponent.

Doc John, as usual, brings up an important point, the age factor. I am also over 50 and my kicks ain't what they used to be that's for sure! I still like the side thrust kick but my target selection is below waist level to the leg or slightly above to the floating rib section. The old reliable side snap kick is probably more realistic for me to get off in most circumstances and certainly is faster and effective when used on soft targets like the knees, shin and groin. Stomp kicks to the instep still work wonderfully for an "old man" as do spur kicks to the groin after the stomp.

I guess it's tough to claim a favorite but I thought that you all may have one "signature kick" that you like to use.

Thanks for you replies!

Nelson Kari

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

I like the low snapping knife edge kick to set up the hand combo's.

I use it as a jab when closing distance

[bdparsons]

Two types of kick I use most often and effectively.

One is a basic front/ball kick, adaptable in so many ways and for so many targets. I use it for the groin, the bladder, the inside of either knee, the floating ribs (with a bit thrust), under the thigh (as a counter-kick).

The other is what's known as the "quick kick" in the IKCA, developed by Chuck Sullivan. With the range disguised and your supporting leg directly underneath you it uses the outside blade of the foot rising directly from the ground to the groin. Very effective and can easily turn someones testicles into their tonsils. Beautiful follow-ups available as well.

Respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute

[Juggernaut]

Mine would be the Thai round kick off of the rear leg...

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Two types of kick I use most often and effectively.

One is a basic front/ball kick, adaptable in so many ways and for so many targets. I use it for the groin, the bladder, the inside of either knee, the floating ribs (with a bit thrust), under the thigh (as a counter-kick).

The other is what's known as the "quick kick" in the IKCA, developed by Chuck Sullivan. With the range disguised and your supporting leg directly underneath you it uses the outside blade of the foot rising directly from the ground to the groin. Very effective and can easily turn someones testicles into their tonsils. Beautiful follow-ups available as well.

Respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute

Same application here sir

[Kenpo-Owl]

I'd say that my FAVORITE kick is a front snap kick...but its not my most effective (destructive) kick.

Too many years in the Army and other issues have caused my toes to no longer bend back...period. I can't effectively use the ball of my foot simply because I can't bend my toes...so depending on the target of the kick, I'll often land with my heel instead of the ball of the foot.

I tend to use the front snap kick or push kick to clear space as needed, or to distract my opponent while I'm closing the gap or positioning them for hand/elbow strikes.

Most effective as far as damaging would be a knife edge kick or stomp kick to the knee.

Now...if you count using the knee in a kick...that changes the story!

[nelson]

Dear Mr. Parsons:

Could you differentiate between the kick you described and the scoop kick?

Is the main difference the striking surface, the instep, vs. the blade of the foot?

Thank you!

Nelson Kari

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Dear Mr. Parsons:

Could you differentiate between the kick you described and the scoop kick?

Is the main difference the striking surface, the instep, vs. the blade of the foot?

Thank you!

Nelson Kari

Mr. Nelson,

Sir I know this isnt addresd to me,however the scope would go under the groin and strike on the returning motion. If I understand Mr. Parson the the other application may be applied as a upward outward instep strike.

Sorry for stickimg my nose in.

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Dear Mr. Parsons:

Could you differentiate between the kick you described and the scoop kick?

Is the main difference the striking surface, the instep, vs. the blade of the foot?

Thank you!

Nelson Kari

It could also be a inward upward knife edge.

[Seabrook]

I like the lead leg side kick to the ribs.

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

I like the lead leg side kick to the ribs.

Brother Jamie
I will remember that if we ever get a chance to spar sir

[bdparsons]

Dear Mr. Parsons:

Could you differentiate between the kick you described and the scoop kick?

Is the main difference the striking surface, the instep, vs. the blade of the foot?

Thank you!

Nelson Kari

Don't misinterpret the quick kick to be done like a front kick. It's done from a matched fighting stance (right lead to right lead, etc.) Once in range the lead foot is brought stiff-legged up to the groin striking with the outside edge of the foot. Whereas the scoop kick is accomplished more on the perpendicular line (front or rear) to the opponent, the quick kick is done more toward the parallel.


I'm in the process of developing a new school website to include a video discussion of techniques. I know this may be a bit difficult to visualize, maybe I'll make it one of the first ones.


Respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute

[IWishToLearn]

The scoop kick is essentially a stiff legged perpendicular strike (groin = horizontal target, scoop kick vertical kick) followed by a raking movement with the top of the foot back to your kicking crane. Essentially two strikes - primary compression of the boys into the pelvic bone, followed by the rake of the entire foot pulling out to the front and returning to your kicking crane.

The quick kick is also a vertical kick that might more descriptively be called (assuming right lead to right lead) outward, upward, stiff legged blade of the foot strike to the groin. This kick also reco.cks depending on what you want to do afterwards.

[flying crane]

...so depending on the target of the kick, I'll often land with my heel instead of the ball of the foot.

I can't say that I have a favorite kick, but I do like a front thrust kick with the heel of the foot. I think perhaps this is seen more in the Chinese arts, and a variant is used in capoeira. I don't think I see it in the kenpo groups very often.

[John M. La Tourrette]

I guess it's tough to claim a favorite but I thought that you all may have one "signature kick" that you like to use.

Hi Nelson,

When you stated "signature kick" I automatically flipped over into my MARKETING MIND...

And my "signiture kick" (S) were...

The "High Flying Side Kick"...

...and the "High (splits like) Spinning Heel Hook".

So either one or both of those kicks were in my advertisment brochures, my yellow page ads, and on the front covers of my books.

They are fantastic looking, which is why they are there.

Mr. Parker and I and also Al Tracy and I have had a few laughs about the difference between marketing and "doing".

But I use NEITHER for my martial arts, except for coordination drills, flexibility training and keeping young.

For those, I'll stay with the 3 given earlier.

Dr. John M. La Tourrette

[John M. La Tourrette]

1. One is a basic front/ball kick, adaptable in so many ways and for so many targets. I use it for the groin, the bladder, the inside of either knee, the floating ribs (with a bit thrust), under the thigh (as a counter-kick).

2. The other is what's known as the "quick kick" in the IKCA, developed by Chuck Sullivan. With the range disguised and your supporting leg directly underneath you it uses the outside blade of the foot rising directly from the ground to the groin. Very effective and can easily turn someones testicles into their tonsils. Beautiful follow-ups available as well.

What I like about Mr. Parsons first point is that the front/ball kick can be easily changed to a straight line (direct attack) or to a circle attack, which easily and effectively goes around direct line external guards.

Keeping them low line means that there are only two ways of stopping them.

By movement...

or by leg checking/blocking.

His second point is very effective but looks horrible. It's just a leg/foot lift that crushes the testicles between his dorsum and their pubic bone. Very effective for attack purposes, but will never get a point in a tournament (who cares?).

Now pain and confusion are in the attack mix and you can pretty much write your own continuing attack sequence.

DOC JOHN

[bdparsons]

Now pain and confusion are in the attack mix and you can pretty much write your own continuing attack sequence.

Respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute