Thai Leg-kick

[Keeper]

Hey guys

I'm not a MT guy and so don't compete but I train the 'thai leg-kick' (is there a proper Thai name for it?) a lot because it's hard and fast and often non-telegraphed.

But the thing is that i'm not a big guy and very light although I think I have quite a good leg kick. And so, I'm not sure it would take many people off their feet although it would certainly destroy a knee (and my shin in the process) but only if it landed correctly.

The question - is it worth me training it? I mean it does have it's application to a bad guy's head if he's on his knees or getting up off the floor.

Thanks,

Keeper

[koto_ryu]

It's worth it, though aim downwards on his thigh at a 45 degree angle right on the big nerve that runs down the side of his thigh if you're kicking someone and if you've trained hard enough you can drop the average guy.

[Tim3]

So much more than a kick

Howdy Keeper,
Working on your Thai kick can develop many other benefical attibutes and skills. The kick is a tool but like any other tool can be applied many different ways. Physically training with kicking will develop great "core" strength and cardiovascular conditioning. The legs are the largest mass of muscles the body has and causes the biggest adaptation physically throughout the body ( growth hormone release )when conditioned. Learning to kick in combination while moving will develop great timing and coordination. The kick can be used as a tactical tool to set up an opponet for something else. Do not think of a kick as a one time means to an end. I remember first seeing a "Thai Kick" back in the early 80s and thinking "thats all you need", but the reality is that a kick is just another tool that you can use to make you an overall better fighter. Don't limit yourself. Just my 2 cents.

[silapathai]

"thai kick"

you can probably look this up on the web and find different variations of thai depending on how you want to "thai kick"...it's usually just called dtae(pronounced day). Depending on your stance there are different ways of delivering this kick. One key to doing it is to make sure to follow through with your hip and to pivot with your supporting leg, don't snap the kick and remember don't focus on using your instep. If you kick someone with this and hear a loud snap from your instep than you've done it wrong. A lot of people do it this way but it's not proper and won't do much damage to an opponent.
Uneducated members in any kickboxing fight card's audience always are "ooing" when they hear this loud snap from insteps but those are the weakest kicks..good times.