Front Snap Kicks

[Adrift_Quasar]

I know there's hundreds of differnt ways to do each technique, so I thought that it would be interesting to see how we have learned the basics compares to each other.

I learned that you should square your hips to the target, bring the knee up and then snap the kick out, making contact with the ball of the foot, pulling the toes back, then pulling the kick back and setting it down. I have seen it down differently in some places, with the hips displaced to kick higher. Also, I've noticed that generally the higher you kick, the less power behind it.

[47Ronin]

For Uechi- Square your hips off pull the hips up. Then bring the knee up and thrust out the big toe or ball the foot. Then retract at knee level and set down.

By the way, I really like your sig. Makes much sense ;)

[aml01_ph]

I rotate the hips past square (as if doing a roundhouse kick), push my pelvis forward and then kick. I maximize power this way, and do not lose power even when kicking high.

[Andy Murray]

In Lau Gar, the emphasis is on non-telegraphy.

As little extraneous movement as possible, so the intended opponent should feel the kick rather than see it.
That said, it's intended to be defensive rather than offensive.

Opening the hips makes the movement more obvious, but can also give it more power and range, so it can then become offensive too.

[Poop-Loops]

Originally posted by Adrift_Quasar
I learned that you should square your hips to the target, bring the knee up and then snap the kick out, making contact with the ball of the foot, pulling the toes back, then pulling the kick back and setting it down. I have seen it down differently in some places, with the hips displaced to kick higher. Also, I've noticed that generally the higher you kick, the less power behind it.

That, and either lean forward or backward. Forward would be if you're power-hitting a mid level target, and backward would be for balance if you're aiming high. But don't do it too much, or else it's hard to get back to a ready stance.

PL

[kerling]

Adrift_Quasar

You don't need as much force when kicking the head as when kicking the stommac. Beside I don't know anyone that would do a front kick to the head unless he had done some thing really tricky to win grounds and get into attack range.

But you should never lean back. It's a false sight if you think your sensei is leaning back while kicking. He's pushing his hip forward and there for he looks like he's leaning backwards. notice that his head and heel are in aproximetly the same place as the where before the kick.

Regards Kerling

[WolfX]

The way i learned it was a bit different , we pulled up into a crane whcih protects the pelvic region then snap out, and nothing abovve the waist as well. i guess this is cuz its to damn ez to grab

[Poop-Loops]

If you can do a front kick to the head, a front kick to the chest will be easier. We don't ever practice them to the head, the instructor just said lean back if you did hit to the head (it's legal in tournaments, but not many people do it.)

PL

[Sub zero]

don't know if any ones sadi this yet but ur leg should come back in just as fast as it goes out. Ohterwiseyour leaving your self vaulnerable.

[Poop-Loops]

That should happen with all strikes, or else they can grab your limb.

PL

[Matt_Bernius]

In our system the "Front snap" is a forward snapping instep kick. "Front Thrust" is what we call a front kick that strikes with the ball of the foot.

As far as kicking style, we begin as a chambered kicking system. All kicks are practiced from our fighting stance. The kicking leg always drives up through a forward pointing chamber into the given kick. As this is happening the base legs foot is pivoting open from the toes, adding extra umph to the kick. The entire action has a wave like build through the body. The kick is executed with a whipping component, coming immediately back to the forward facing chamber after making contact.

The rantional for using this method of chambering is that it allows all of our kicks to "look the same" as they begin, which makes the kick difficult to read.

- Matt

[Yukimushu]

Front kicks are great :) I love the way it's used in Muay Thai, and i've started to use it the same way. If i see the attacker about to make a move, then i'd use it to intercept there movement.

Various times ive been able to stop and block a kick by using the front kick to trap the kicking leg. its very usful!

[TigerAnsTKDLove]

when i was a white belt and just beginning... this is kinda embarassing but i had trouble doing a front snap kick with my left leg aka my weak leg. so i bought a punching bag thing and practiced with my left leg. i had no trouble doing a front snap kick with my right leg but my left leg i did. but here i am today a green belt now my left leg is snapping at those front snap kicks all you have to do is practiced hard thats the way i learned. a punching bag helps