Summary from Geoff Thompson’s Book: Real Kicking
To be a complete fighting martial artist you must know all combat ranges. Many martial artists think kicks should only be used for long range attacks. But in reality kicking can be used in any range, and used for setting up for other fight ending techniques or initiating grappling techniques. If you only ever use kicking technique once in your lifetime in a real street fight and it works for you, then all the years of martial arts kick training was worth it.
Kicking is an effective combat tool if kept in context, i.e. used as part of the support system rather than as an initiating, attacking tool.
Kicks are most effective in one of four ways:
1) If you are outside of punching range and find that there is a large distance (long range) between you and your attacker (there very rarely is) martial arts kicks may be used to bridge that gap. Even the kick should never be the end of your technique or attack. The kick is best utilized to setup other attacks, such as a punch or a grappling clinch. If you want old Gracie BJJ challenge footage or the first Ultimate Fighting Championships fights, you will see Royce Gracie and other Gracie Fighters using front stomp kicks to setup and close the distance for the grappling clinch.
2) Short range kicks can sometimes be used whilst inside vertical grappling range to weaken an opponent before throwing him, or using sweeping kicks from the same range. Knees can also be used in this range. A good drill for this is get in grappling range with your partner and train short range kicks and knees. Use stomp kicks, knees, short roundhouse kicks, etc.
3) In the many fights I have been in, I have never squared off with anyone. That is just lame. Most street fights just erupt, no one ever squares up with you first. But, in the rare case where you "square up" against your opponent, kicking can become effective for taking a boxer or grappler to his or her weaker range.
4) Kicking technique is an unparalleled ‘finisher’ when employed on a falling or felled opponent. Lets face it, if you opponent is down and you are up…. you’re gonna kick the f*ucker.
Some of the best real combat martial arts kicks are:
1.) Front or Side Stomp kicks to the knee. The knee is one of the most important targets when it comes to kicking. It is a fairly weak target, and the damage is devastating. Use a side or front stomp kick to attack the front of the knee.
2.) Shin Kick or Low Thai kick to the knee. Destroy your opponents knee with a shin kick.
3.) Groin kick, toes pointed UP. The groin kick is often an underrated technique. Some call it a cheap shot. But when you’re in a real fight scenario, it is effective. Point your toes up though and aim for the sack. If you keep your toes flat and inline with the shin and left, there is less chance for damage. I actually saw one of our bouncers get kicked square in the nuts, but because his attackers foot was pointed straight ahead, it was more of an annoying blow, then a fight ending blow.
4.) Liver kicks – if you are a trained kicker and are good at targeting your kicks, aim for the liver. It can drop your opponent quicker then you would think.
5.) Front Stomp Kick – Pretend like you are trying to bust down a door. Aim for the solorplex or use as a setup technique.
A lot of this information came from Geoff’s Thompsons eBook on Real KIcking. It is a great read and you don’t have to wait for it to be delivered to your house. It is one of the best realistic kicking books out there.
