Defensive first strike

[FearlessFreep]

Last week in class we worked on a spinning back kick as a defensive strike against a rear-leg roundhouse. Thought being that in a rear-leg roundhouse, the body switches stances and it's possible to get the back kick up into the chest before the body gets all the way around (catching them in md-turn as they are facing you) (note: this requires you to throw your back kick like a 'mule-kick' because if it turns into a spinning side-kick, it'll probably take too long to get around)

Anyway, working on the principle of hitting the chest in mid-turn, I've also been thinking of a front-side, hop-to side-kick as a fast-launch defensive kick to stop the roundhouse in mid-turn. I've been working on the speed of my spring and kick to try this out.

Anywone with more experience (being..um...almsot everyone) have thoughts on whether this will work and other kicks that can be used defensively to hit quickly while the others attack is still developing? (Until now, most of my defense has been based on evasion and quick counter-strike)

[DragonMind]

Countering a kick with a kick is bad tactics IMHO. Its easier (and faster) to step inside the kick, punch to the face or sternum, drop an elbow on the kicking leg and then kick on the way out...

[Spartan]

I would think it is just like in most cases, it depends on the skill levels of the fighters. I have seen some very devastatingly effective intercepting kicks. I have also seen some very devastating counter hand strikes too. It is hard to choose one approach over the other. You will just have to go with whatever targets more accessible to you at the time. If you have the strength, speed and timing, you can make either one successful.

[TonyU]

During my TKD day that was one of my techniques and I also loved other spinning type kicks.
As I got older and my focus of training has changed I go along the same lines as Barry.
Now I don't perform any techniques that exposes by back to my opponent.

[jakmak52]

I'm with Barry on this one as well, advance, blitz the kicker with upper arm/hand strikes,or even better, sidestep and sweep with a ridge hand strike. I usually use my forearms to block a high kick or my knees to block a low kick then answer/counter the intial attack...I never, ever drop my guard to block a low kick with my hands, leaving my upper body and face unprotected (learned that the HARD way) :eek:

[DragonMind]

Considering time to target and force generated, the best place to block/stop a kick is as close as possible to the source, i.e. the hips, not at the foot. As long as you see the kick start, it is faster to step in than for the kick to land. This also has the advantage that the striking part of the kick is now the knee or thigh, much easier to absorb and take control of the leg. If I'm needing to end the fight quickly, I'll trap the kicking leg, sweep the other leg and drop a knee or elbow into the groin.

[John Bennett]

A jump-reverse side kick can be a wicked cool counter to a #2 roundkick.

Imagine:

You are in a left hand leading stance. So is your opponent.

He goes for a #2 roundhouse (kicking with his back leg, pivoting on his front).

You see this coming, jump to offset, spin, and STAB him in the gut with your side kick.

This may seem difficult at first. If you practice it in sparring you can become proficient at it in less than 20 live repetitions. (depending on how much you spar, enough opportunities to become proficient will probably occur within about 6 months).

Of course, a prerequisite is that your jump reverse side kick be strong and accurate from hundreds of repetitions on the heavy bag.

It's very difficult to counter because it quickly cuts inside just after the opponent has committed to the #2 roundhouse.

Spread it around. If you over-use it against any one sparring mate, they will catch on. Otherwise, it's a nice surprise for them every couple of weeks.

[Sochin]

Against a roundhouse, jam forward as hard as you can, slamming him against a wall or table and when he bounces back, use the elbow!!!

Oh, you mean sparring, :eek: :up:

[TonyU]

Considering time to target and force generated, the best place to block/stop a kick is as close as possible to the source, i.e. the hips, not at the foot. As long as you see the kick start, it is faster to step in than for the kick to land. This also has the advantage that the striking part of the kick is now the knee or thigh, much easier to absorb and take control of the leg. If I'm needing to end the fight quickly, I'll trap the kicking leg, sweep the other leg and drop a knee or elbow into the groin.


Against a roundhouse, jam forward as hard as you can, slamming him against a wall or table and when he bounces back, use the elbow!!!
I like the way you both think. :D

[FearlessFreep]

Unfortunately, I'm more thinking from a perspective of Olympic rules TKD which does not really allow some of these approaches :)

I ended up asking this question in a weird way last night when asking about a palm-heel strike to block a roundhouse. My instructor said "In sparring, no. In fighting, yes...but you have to get in and preferably stike the top of the knee", or something like that

A jump-reverse side kick can be a wicked cool counter to a #2 roundkick.

That has been suggested to me :)

Not something I can do well enough yet, but is definately on my list of things to practice..

[DragonMind]

Oh, play nice techniques? OK, step inside the round kick, use your forearms as shock absorbers against their knee. Use that momentum to "bounce" you into a spin heel kick to the head. Reverse the circle and spin heel with the other leg.