Side Kick

[Tom Yum]

well if someone shows proper economy of correct form and volume, knowing exactly at which distance he is from his opponent, always moving (footwork) so that his opponent will constantly misjudge the distance, then most punches will be very accurate

Your speaking from theory and not from experience, cat.

The instance the defensive guy sees the attacker's chest flex and their shoulders rotate (i.e. for a big right hand), the defensive guy has already leaned back and his side kick is coming out.

[kuk sool won]

lol god this guy talks some bollocks

[Rebiu]

Muay Thai does not like the side kick because.

Muay Thai does not like the sidekick because.

The sidekick tends to push the opponent away and slow down the action. The Thai fighter wants to stay in fighting range and continue to attack.

The sidekick exposed the legs to round kicks and the side and back to a clinch.

Most anything you hope to do with the side kick in a Thai fight can be done with a Teep(font kick) with not of the down side.

I am a bid sidekick fan by the way.

[Tant01]

Good stuff!

Cung Le does use it, but not in a normal way. It's either this weird spinning back side kick (turns to gain momentum and lays into the other guy). He also kicks past the other guy intentionally, wraps both of his legs around the opponent, and takes him down very hard. Saw them in a documentary about him.

Say it with me.... Kani Basami (crab scissors throw)

He does it well! I saw him use it repeatedly against one opponent. You'd think after being knocked on his ass about five or six times he'd get wise to it? Nope. New tricks each time and BAM! Down he'd go AGAIN!! It was great fun to watch!

[Mephariel]

The sidekick exposed the legs to round kicks

Actually, if done at the right time, the side kick can counter the roundhouse. Right before the roundhouse gets up, a side kick to the body can knock the fighter off his feet. But this doesn't happen often.

[Rebiu]

Yes.

The sidekick exposed the legs to round kicks

Actually, if done at the right time, the side kick can counter the roundhouse. Right before the roundhouse gets up, a side kick to the body can knock the fighter off his feet. But this doesn't happen often.

The MT perspective is that because the sidekick is generally slower than the round kick there is usually some telegraphing by the round kicker or at least a repetition that allows the sidekicker to anticipate. The same effect can be achieved with the front kick wich is faster and keeps you in the more squared up attitude that Muay Thai favors.

Don the Dragon Wilson had an excellent sidekick and sidekick game. He would strike with the sidekick and if they jammed it by moving in he would allow the push to switch him the other side and throw that kick. The sidekick is good for coving distance with a hop. He liked to follow the sidekick with round kicks with the rear leg to the opponent’s front or with the lead leg to the head.

I learned in TKD to bring the kick down from above into the gut. This allows you to clear the checking leg.

I have also found it very effective, against opponents who lower themselves to have very strong punches and stability, to jump and kick down onto the thigh.