Striking Form: Movement No. 3- Defensive Side Kick

Hello, everyone!

Today's move is not fancy at all. The side kick is a common move to many styles of martial art that use striking.

The side kick can be used to attack or to defend. If it is used for attack it would employ a half step to get into range and perhaps to build some momentum. It would then look something like this...

I know that some styles discern between a side snap and a side thrust kick. That discernment has not done much to help me, so- if I talk about a side kick, I mean a straight side kick that shoots into the target. Kicks that snap upwards or just knock against the target may have some use, but I really don't see any use for my side kick to do that.

Now... Using this kick in a defensive manner will have it look something like this...

This move is actually very instinctive and incorporates two of the most common responses we have to someone who is moving in to hit us i.e. shifting weight backwards and turning away from the opponent.

True- when you learn to fight at a dojo your instructor would prefer that you do not turn away from your opponent and retreating should also be kept to a bare minimum. Well... that is the best way to teach beginners, because you want them to overcome that urge to turn away and curl up into a ball or to run away.

When you are finally able to calmly face your opponent, however, you realise that the following reflex actions are actually useful:

1. Turning from a forward facing to a sideways facing position;

2. Shifting weight onto the back leg.

1. Turning to face sideways: Turning sideways does take the solar plexus and liver out of the line of a straight attack, which usually does more damage than attacks that move in an arc towards their target.

The side that faces the opponent is then mostly behind an arm. From this position the side of the hip should be aligned with the target and pointed right at it.

2. Shifting weight onto the back leg. If I shift weight onto my back leg it is not to get away from my opponent. It is to get me into position to kick the wind out of him. This kick is not much use at close range. You need distance for it to build up speed and to hit with explosive force. This is why I do not care much for a side kick that sends a heavy bag swinging. I work on a side kick that either puts a dent into a loose handing bag or one that bends it.

A side kick does not need to be high to be useful for self defense. It is in fact really effective if you can direct that explosive force into a thigh bone, knee joint or hip. I know that Wing Chun uses a gentle side kick that connects with the opponent's shin- usually to stop his kick, but I am not talking about that here. The kick that I discuss here, and which is used in the Form, is one that stops a charging opponent dead in his tracks.

Being able to correctly execute this kick is a strong deterrent for opponents who would otherwise try to bulldoze you off the floor.

It is really worth learning.

That is it for this week's post. 

See you again soon! :)