Kicking or punching?

[aaron]

Which one do you prefer? Kicking or Punching

Kicking:

Positives- Longer reach, More power, easier to block low kicks

Negatives- Slower to recover

Punching:

Positives- Faster strikes, faster recovery, can easily counter, block upper attacks.

Negative- Short distance, weaker than Kicking

[tekkengod]

What ever floats your boat, matter of preferance.

Their both a part of the striking pie, if you can't do both you'll die!!! {such a poet} :D

[Slindsay]

My TKD upbringing means I have to vote kicking.

[thepunisher]

Which one do you prefer? Kicking or Punching

..side kick when I was free sparring until someone grabbed my leg while kicking, which is something we learn in Seiki-Juku karate (as it combines stuff from Ju-Jutsu which our chief instructor is a 5.th dan in as well)so now I've resorted to use punches instead when attacking and only occassionally going for the kick when I see an opening. I seem to score more with punches than kicks even when fighting higher belts.

Christian

[Cosmo Kramer]

kicking, but i like punching a lot also, so its close

[Ikken Hisatsu]

kicking, i only use punches really to setp up my kicks and knees

[oni_sensei]

Agreed.

[Topher]

I do Wing Chun and Tang Soo Do, so what do i pick! :D

I dont really have a favourite, just what is ever neccesary. I do like kicking against a pad though.

[SCP_Kensei]

I prefer kicks, although my leg size and leg weight mean I have to be carteful or I run out of kicking steam quickly (but luckily the power I can put through my 29" quads means I dont have to fire off so many to do the job).

My real passion is knees and elbows (especially elbows).

[Davey Bones]

Punching. I'm so short my kicking range is generally the punching range of most bigger guys, so may as well bring the fight to them. Hands are more versatile for me anyway.

EDIT: Especially since so many people instinctively fight linear. Bagua is a wonderful thing! Move and punch, move and punch.... :D

[hux]

kicking, i only use punches really to setp up my kicks and knees

I am the opposite of this..I will throw an axe kick just so I can hook to the boiler room :)

[KSprenk]

It depends on the situation. So I dont really have a favorite.

[nickthequick800]

I think kicking " for me" is better. It has longer reach and can be used quickly to intercept and attack.

[inteq9]

I would like to knock someones block off with a kick wayyy more than a punch :D

[Tetsujin]

punching? kicking? eithier way both attacks can bring down an enemy.....

[Timmy Boy]

I prefer punches, they're easier to control in sparring.

[tekkengod]

my love is for knees!!! I love knees!

[dru19]

with the knuckles aimed right , one good punch is all you need , a kick can to ,but punches are faster

[clemsontkd]

I like kicking (therefore i chose TKD not the other way around). I think that effective kicking can keep an enemy at bay as well as kicks arent normally as expected from a fighter as punches are. (unless you know your opponent does TKD)

[wazzabi]

kicks are more fun to do. but i land way more punches than i do kicks when i spar. maybe that's just cause i need to train my kicks more :confused:

[pulp fiction]

Kicking 100%. NO surprise if I practice TKD.

I just love kicks.

[Tribalweapon]

As much as I love to kick I am going to have to go with punching, it is just more effective for me.

[iamraisen]

punching is much easier and much safer IMO. im a thai boxer so i cant deny the low kick, but i feel much better punching people. im with tekkengod on the knees though :D

[Fighting-Irish]

Punching, naturally being a boxer, kicks are cool too though and id love to be able to kick properly!

[wild_pitch]

both are equally important and have their places. why choose?

[tekkengod]

im with tekkengod on the knees though :D

Damn straight! Landing a hard knee square on the chin is the poetry of life!

[clemsontkd]

tekken...this is about punching and kicking, not kneeing. you already told us you like knees.

[tekkengod]

wow. relax buddy, we all already voted.

[clemsontkd]

i am chill guy

[Kwajman]

After 5.5 years in TKD, its kicking....

[CraigLeeJKD]

Personally I find performing kicks more enjoyable than punching. However, I think punching is more effective from a practical point of view, say if someone attacks me in the street.
From a street point of view, generally I'd subdue my opponent with punches, and then(depending on the timing and his reactions) I'd be willing to throw in the kicks if needed. Unless your kicks are fast and timed right though, throwing kicks about could land you in some serious...bother :P

[NaughtyKnight]

I agree completly with the above post.

Performance kicks. Like the fly kick spinning hook kick combo, are fun as hell.

For selfdefence, punches all the way.

[Jujitm]

I love kicking because I can take advantage of my long reach and I find I relax more when kicking than punching also I find it's more fun because flying punches are hard :bang: :D

[ninjas-r-us]

jeeze guys come on, if you only know kicks and an enemy grabs your foot, sucks to be you, if you only know punches and you break your hand your boned.
One must know BOTH

[Slindsay]

Knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows, knees and elbows.

Having just done clinching with them I have decided that they are my new favourite.

[Punqeske]

I've noticed that kicks are easier to block when someone leads in with it (which i found is a BIG no no from experience). But, i think if a kick is used correctly and in the right time and place then it can effective. BUT, overall i think i would stick to punching.

[reptilly77]

In MMA which is about as close to a real fiight as you'll get in a ring, the only kicks that should be used if you're fighting someone worth a damn is a low leg kick, front kick to the mid section, face stomps, and soccer kicks. Every thing else is too slow, and you should be able to get the job done with your upstairs tools faster and better!

Peace

[Sarge_Medic]

This is sarge_medic I feel that to be a good fighter you really need to good with both.I like kicks because they can be very strong and keep your oppent off balance.When your oppenet is off balance your stikes become even more powerful. What do you guys think.

[Sarge_Medic]

Hey there me again just some background on me. I started studying LungFu Do, wrestling grecko-roman, Qaung stlye Tai Chi as well as push hands, I know study Chun Kuk do and Have my black belt in that stlye . I also work with the Russian Stlye Syetema.

[Cougar_v203]

punching definitely...my kicks are slower then my punches.

[jesusjedi]

I do as much as I can with both punches and kicks. But if I really had to pick, Id get in close and punch his teeth out.

[Cougar_v203]

jesus...I thought you were all for peace and non-violence...oh well..seeing as how the world is right now I'm not surprised you haven't started to rain down sulfur and brimstone. :p

[Hades]

heck.. I don't even KNOW how to kick proper..

[Xoxi]

My kicks and punches are both about equal... I tend to punch against kickers and kick against punchers.

[Munen Mushin]

I perfer punches, or should say hand strikes, but kicks have their place in my bag-o-knowledge/tricks.

[Oversoul]

Damn straight! Landing a hard knee square on the chin is the poetry of life!

Yes!

[NaughtyKnight]

Elbows and headbutts.

[Leo_E_49]

Uhh, joint locking? :p

Punching would take preference over kicking for me.

[Hiroji]

i still like punching more than kicking but since starting TKD my kicks are getting better with time. My round house kicks are ok but i suck with my left leg.

[TheDaveman]

i think im better at punching, but i just like kicking a lot better

[Another Muay Thai Guy]

I'm a kicker all the way, they're what I'm best at, so they're what I use most of the time. However, I feel it is far more satisfying to pull off a successful combo with your hands and land each one than with kicking. This seems to be the opposite of most kickers who have posted, but there you go, I like to be different. :D

[Soni]

I've definetely got to vote kicking :) .

I prefer kicking and am a lot more confident with my legs than i am my fists.

The only time i really use my fists, is for a counter after a block if i'm in to close - which i don't like doing that much if i can help it. My favourite techniqie is a reverse roundhouse, although i use it probably a little to much, it works a treat in competition, because there not expecting it, however i very rarely use it as an attacking techniqie - and if i do it will always be following a roundhouse i.e, right leg roundhouse stepping forward, land, left leg reverse roundhouse, i find i can cover a lot of distance quickly with this combination.

I've got to admit though, i find the best use for the reverse roundhouse 90% of the time if for a counterattack. I use it off my back leg, normally use left leg, so right leg in front, 80% of the weight on the front leg, back leg just hanging there relaxed and loose, then wait for the attack, pivot on the front leg, turn, and let it go.

I wish i was a lot better with my hands though, as i think i would feel more confident in a street situation - as 90% of the time your in to close to use your legs, or you'll be on the floor grapling. :woo:

[Athleng Nordic]

I find punching to be more practicle faster, plenty enough power, and in close kicking doesn't work too well. Knees and be effective, but most don't study Muay Thai so I'm not worried.

[Dojo]

Am a kicker mostly (should have done TKD not Shotokan :D)

Anyway ... I can punch quite OK, but I love to use my nice long legs a lot of time. I remeber when I started I was as stiff as a pole, but after some serious work I started becoming flexible. At the beginning I couldn't kick above waist hight, but now I just love high kicks :)

[Soni]

Am a kicker mostly (should have done TKD not Shotokan :D)

Anyway ... I can punch quite OK, but I love to use my nice long legs a lot of time. I remeber when I started I was as stiff as a pole, but after some serious work I started becoming flexible. At the beginning I couldn't kick above waist hight, but now I just love high kicks :)

Dojo: We sound very similar, and we both do Shotokan :)

[Meowmeows]

I've never used a kick in a fight,
but even so I love to kick.
Thats why I love Taekwondo, lots of kicking.
They are hard to do, fun to do and
there are so many to learn :love:

[Soni]

I've never used a kick in a fight,
but even so I love to kick.
Thats why I love Taekwondo, lots of kicking.
They are hard to do, fun to do and
there are so many to learn :love:

I envy you for where you live, as you live in the same country as my hero :bang: :cry:

Now, you must have heard of Jean Frenette - havn't you :confused:

[NaughtyKnight]

I've only used one real kick from tkd in a fight, other than that its all elbows, punches and a few headbutts.

People generally dont kick in a fight, because punching is the way we were bought up. I was always told that kicking in a fight was disrespectful, and I know alot of people that still think like that.

Punching is much more fun aswell in a fight aswell, you can get nice and close and you feel just like Ali :D.

[dradondeaux]

i use mostly hand techniques, not all punches. I use alot of palm, knifehand, ridgehand, finger (pressure point strike), so i guess i have to go punches more than kicks .. but if i get the opportunity i'll kick too

[CCG2]

I would definitely have to go with punching. My fists are just plain faster and safer to use in a no holds barred fight than my legs, even though I still do like to use them at longer ranges; even then, they aren't the spectacular high kicks or anything just front snaps or low roundhouses. I think putting too much focus on kicking makes you more vulnerable to takedowns (not to mention accidential groin shots!) and hinders your speed since there's a lot more weight shifting between legs compared to punching. Besides, I'm not exactly super skilled at it (even though you'd think someone who can do a full split would). I take Karate and Jujitsu and when we spar it's basically no holds barred lite so I guess you could say I know all that from experience (especially those accidental groin shots). Regardless of my preference I still gotta hand it to some TKD, Tang Soo Do, and especially Kickboxing/Muay Thai fighters out there-they can kick.

[Infrazael]

Punching. I'm a brawler type, and you can't really do that with kicks. . .....

plus punching is more fun. :D

[robert RR]

i prefer kicking,because it is more powerful than punching.

[CQC]

I voted on punching since I'm using my hands most of the time

[kumikaze]

tough, I love kicking but if I had to chose between just punching and just kicking I'd go for the former.
hmm...

[Du-Du-Dude]

Punching - I'd like using combinations with my hand techniques. E.G. Block+Charge Blow With Hand Not Blocking+Then Up That Hand To Wherever You Want To Hit Your Opponent At :D

Kicking - Not much perfer because I haven't use it much at a point better than punching would do in any fight. =/ I use it often ONLY if it's a combo with my hand techniques! E.G. Block Opponent Kick With Your Shin+Bring Down Shin Blocker And Jump+Do Whatever Kick Here+Land Down+Charge Blow

For your information, Charge Blow is using your hand in fist mode charging at your opponent with a huge impact.

[Songi]

Punishing. but probably because i'm better at it then kicking. i feel like i have more control over my punches then i do with my kicks.

[Torell]

Well,
i was taught that not only do you use your whole bodies co-ordination to thrust energy either through ur arms or legs, but you also use the ground.

so theoretically, shouldnt you be able to produce the same power with either arms or legs?

although practically it seems to b a lil diff.

what do you people think? because i heard a few comments about people liking kicks because their stronger.

???

[Ikken Hisatsu]

Well,
i was taught that not only do you use your whole bodies co-ordination to thrust energy either through ur arms or legs, but you also use the ground.

so theoretically, shouldnt you be able to produce the same power with either arms or legs?

although practically it seems to b a lil diff.

what do you people think? because i heard a few comments about people liking kicks because their stronger.

???
uh i dont know where you got that theory from? if you didnt notice the legs and arms are built a little differently in terms of power and weight.

kicks generally are stronger with exceptions of course (im going to bet that mike tyson punches harder than he can kick)

[Gray]

Equal for me. Punching and kicking, both are great. Getting a roundhouse into their ribs is great... Pummelling through their guard with a clean hook is also great. How could I choose between them?

[flutterfists]

I'm definitely a puncher. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I need to use my legs more.

I've got fast, light hands. Weak ankles accompanied with problems pulling my toes back results in frequent foot/toe injuries for me. It's very discouraging. I gotta buy some foot gear or somethin'. . .

[tkdkyle]

By reflex and what i have been taught I choose kicks, but punches are good.

[Ma Bu]

I am 33.333...% kicking, 33.333...% punching a n d 33.333...% grappling.

[Chuckster]

both are equally important and have their places. why choose?
I agree...you must beable to effectively punch, kick, and block punches and kicks to be successfull in martial arts.

[Slurms McKenzie]

I prefer punching, but that's mainly cos my hamstrings are made of unbendable steel and it's taking me ages to get my flexibility up to a decent standard!

If I could kick as well as I punch it'd be a close call though....

[chopperfan666]

i kick to set up a good punch. a mid/low kick followed up with a finishing punch. i prefer finishing w/ hands, i love a good ridgehand, but everyone's gotta admit getting a headshot with your feet is a great feeling. i save those for people with no defense though, too risky

[wildirishrose19]

Kicking of course..I have much more power in my legs..but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy punching :p

[doublelegtackle]

punching. faster attacks and painful hits delivered to the face to set up for a takedown

[Taekwondomaster]

I have to pick kick because it is very powerful in TKD.Though I think punching is far more enjoyable depending on your mood.

[wayne649]

because i do tkd i have to say kicking, but really u need both to b much use

[Ninja01]

Kicking, no contest. I don't punch much in sparring, because I prefer kicking. I get enough punching in the combat class after.

[axelb]

i vote punching.

my kicking is good, and because of that I know how to deal with kicks and use my punches to best effect.

and I can always punch hard and fast to all targets I practise with.

I can only kick to so many targets when I've warmed up, stretched and have sufficient space.

[cloudz]

punching all day long.

The only place i really want to kick is square in the nuts.

[JHughes]

i would have to say punching it's a little more reliable in terms of balance. but side kick and front kick are always useful in any situation.

[PlasmaShock]

Punching when you are in arms range of your opponent.

Kicking when you want to make distance.

[Nezodon]

Punching all the way for me, you maintain your balance while punching which is something you cant when you are kicking and I feel naturally it is easier to maintain a defensive position whilst punching.

I used to be a very good kicker in my early to midteens though after a particular incident I found out practicaly the vulnerabilities of a kicking heavy approach to combat, after that I really worked on my punching technique and without a doubt I find punching to be the most practical in a self- defense situation.

I think the only exception I would make for me is if we are talking about low level kicking to take your opponent off balance slightly or to weaken them, but that would still only be an opener for me to close the distance to get into range for a punch.

[RoninCelt]

Kicking? Check. Punching? Check. So where's the 'Yes' box? :)

[Ninja01]

I prefer kicking, because of my flexibility, and I just love kicking. But I do both regularly, so I even out. :p