Slide in Offset Kick with the Ball of the Foot to the Heavy Bag

When I kick this braced bag on one side; the whole bag and stand simply absorb the movement (but I am not knocked off balance).

When I kick it on the other side; the bag swings with the momentum of the kick.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with the Top of the Foot to the Heavy Bag

This kick is done at groin height to the bag but the kick can be used to strike the attacker at any point from the leading outside calf up through the outside thigh, leading side of the stomach, ribs or (with flex) the side of the head.

Without prejudice

Slide in Front Kick with the Ball of the Foot to the Heavy Bag

Today I’m demonstrating a front kick to the heavy bag again. The main difference is that this kick goes forward into the bag (yesterday, the kick went upward).

Again, light, quick and easy describe how it feels to kick. Look at the bag to see how it feels to be on the receiving end.

Without prejudice

Slide in Front Snap Kick with the Top of the Foot to Heavy Bag

Today I’m demonstrating a slide in front snap kick with the top of the foot to the heavy bag.

In Kisae Kempo this kick is rarely a finishing blow. It is much more often used like a jab.

If it lands the attacker has to react (even if only minimally). He might grunt, flinch or at least stop moving forward as the kick hits (even if he is wearing a protective cup).

Look at the video l have linked and you will see this seventy pound bag jerk about. That is usually enough power to make an attacker pause before I follow up.

Light, quick and easy are words to describe how it should feel to execute this kick.

Without prejudice

Lateral Evasion Shift Away Side Kick

Same idea as yesterday only I shift away instead of shuffle. I’m trapped at punching distance against a wall. I counter punch before side stepping to kick.

I personally prefer to use a front kick but I am able to use the more powerful side kick too.

Without prejudice

Lateral Evasion Shuffle Away Side Kick

I start with my back foot against the wall. I’m close enough to punch. I shuffle to the side and follow up with a side kick.

Without prejudice

Lateral Evasion Shift Away Offset Kick (with the top of the foot)

This is very similar to what I was doing yesterday. Today I shift to the lead leg side before kicking. Being able to move to either side makes me more unpredictable and thus, harder to hit.

Without prejudice

Lateral Evasion Shuffle Away Offset Kick (with the top of the foot)

Today I’m showing this idea from the side. Moving back (at least on one side) is hampered by the wall at my back.

So I defend with my hands first then move sideways before kicking. The lateral move allows me to make my head and torso more elusive.

Today I’m using an offset kick with the top of the foot. This would allow be to go around an attacker’s leg. I am closed of to him but he is vulnerable to me (for a split second).

Without prejudice

Lateral Evasion Shift Away Front Kick

Again, this tactic is not about ‘getting away’ from an assault. For one thing, when I use this I’m already to close to ‘get away’.

This is about following up against a determined and aggressive attacker who will not stop attacking.

Today I’m using a front thrust kick to the lower torso on the open side.

Without prejudice

Lateral Evasion Shuffle Away Front Kick

This is not about ‘getting away’ from someone. By the time this technique is used, blows have already be thrown and it is apparent that the threat to my health is real and already at punching distance.

This tactic also allows me to move around when defending myself in an enclosed space where moving back in not available.

I use this technique as a good follow up to create distance between myself and an attacker that wants to trade blows.

Today’s kick is a front snap kick to the open side (aiming at the groin).

Already at punching distance, I’ll block, counter and then move laterally to kicking distance in order to continue defending.

Without prejudice

3 Distances Drill Using a Rear Leg Roundhouse Kick (with the ball of the foot)

This drill differs from the others in that I torque my hips a full ninety degrees from their starting point in order to execute this kick.

The hip torque increases both the power and the distance.

Care must be taken to keep the correct distance.

Without prejudice

3 Distances Drill Using a Lead Leg Roundhouse Kick (with the top of the foot)

Today I’m using a lead leg roundhouse kick and I start off in a leading horse stances.

There is the full step, reposition, half step, reposition and finally the shift away. I use all three distances in the same drill (done consecutively with the lead leg).

Without prejudice

3 Distances Drill Using a Rear Leg Offset Kick (with the ball of the foot)

This is similar to the drill done on January 15 2012.

Full distance shift forward offset kick at groin height.

Half step away shift forward offset kick at groin g height.

Reverse full shift away offset kick at groin height.

Without prejudice

3 Distances Drill Using a Lead Leg Offset Kick (with the top of the foot)

Very similar to the drill performed on January 14 2012.

However, I’m using an offset kick today and I execute the drill faster.

The shift, the distances and the timing make this a challenging drill to do (when I do it over and over again).

Without prejudice

3 Distances Drill Using a Rear Leg Front Thrust Kick

Same Drill different weapon and different step.

I start at full distance but I kick with the back leg.

Recovering, I execute a half step shuffle advance.

I execute a half step away shift forward front thrust kick (sounds more complex than it actually is).

Recovering, I execute another half step forward. I’m now at punching distance.

Now I execute a reverse shift away front thrust kick.

By practicing the same kick at various distances, I spice up my training (which keeps me enthusiastic) as well as develop the versatility to use the kick at various ranges.

Without prejudice

3 Distances Drill Using a Lead Leg Front Snap Kick

Today I’m concentrating on using the slide in front snap kick at three different distances.

I start at a full step away. After executing the kick and recovering, I perform a half step advance.

Then I execute a half step slide in front snap kick to the same target.

After executing that kick and recovering, I perform another half step advance.

Then I perform a shift away front snap kick to the same target.

The drill emphasizes three different distances using the same target.

Today I’m going slowly.

Without prejudice

Full step Reverse Shift Away Kicks from Orange

Practicing these kicks both slowly and quickly as well as against the bag, in the air or with a partner is vital.

Without prejudice

Full Step Reverse Shift Away Kicks From Yellow

I start close enough to punch my attacker. I step back and left my rear leg to kick. This is not a good starting defense but may be used as an excellent follow-up.

Without prejudice

Half Step Shift Forward Kicks from Orange

Same kicks as Tuesday but the same distance as yesterday. This is actually harder to type than it is to do (for me).

The trick is to combine the shift in weight with stepping and both of these with the kick at both the correct distance and with proper timing and rhythm.

Without prejudice

Half Step Shift Forward Kicks from Yellow

Same four kicks as Monday’s vid but now I start a half step closer (about a foot length). This means I step back a half step with my lead leg before kicking with my rear one. I also have to step slightly further back for the third and fourth kicks.

Without prejudice

Full Step Shift Forward Kicks from Orange

Today, I’m kicking the four basic kicks from Orange with my back leg. The distance is close to what I was doing yesterday. I cursory glance shows them to be almost the same. Such is not the case.

The front thrust kick is a forward driving kick. The side snap kick is actually an angled driving kick. This is easy to say but hard to do when the pressure is on.

Without prejudice

Full Step Shift Forward Kicks from Yellow

Today, I’m kicking the four basic kicks from Yellow with my back leg.

I start far enough away that when I shift my weight forward to kick I’m at the correct distance to land the kick hard.

Notice that this distance changes slightly between the second and third kick.

This is because I use my hips by turning my foot. This makes the kick more powerful and increases the distance I can hit with.

The down side is that it takes longer to land and to recover from.

Without prejudice

The Full Shift Away Kicks of Orange

I start close enough to punch my attacker. I shift away, torque my hips and whip the kick out. The first three use the ball of the foot and the last uses the bottom of the heel.

The trick is to make the kick feel light and easy while t the same time making it a powerful damaging blow capable of inflicting serious damage.

Without prejudice

Without prejudice

The Full Shift Away Kicks of Yellow

Today, I’m another half step closer then I was yesterday and a full step closer than I was On December 31.

This type of kicks happens in several steps. I turn my rear foot slightly, shift my weight onto my back leg, lift my lead leg and torque my hips up and forward as I lash out with the leg. The attacking foot is held firm as is my core. The whole thing feels like I’m snapping a towel.

Without prejudice

The Half Step Slide in Kicks of Orange

Just like the kicking drill with the lead leg that I performed a couple of days ago (January 02). The main difference is the short step. I start closer and step shorter in order to maintain the correct distance for kicking.

Without prejudice

The Half Step Slide in Kicks of Yellow

Similar to Monday’s drill, this time I start a full foot length closer. I therefore step half as far as I did on Monday (hence the name ‘half step slide in’).

Being closer has both risks and rewards. Close up kicking is easier to jam but harder to see coming unless one is ready.

Without prejudice

The Full Step Slide in Kicks of Orange

Happy New Year!

The Full Step Slide in Kicks of Orange

Similar in appearance to yesterday’s, these kicks have their own unique method of delivery and impact. The first is a front thrust kick which utilizes the ball of the foot. The next two are snapping kicks with the ball of the foot. The last is a snapping side kick with the bottom of the heel.

Notice the rhythm of the kick when it is done fast and how the hip snaps up and forward as I kick.

Also notice that even when these kicks are done quickly, they take time to do (more time than a punch).

Without prejudice