General notes:
This is obviously very similar to the defensive
front kick, but I have included both since there is only a subtle difference
in how both are executed, but very different in how they are applied.
It uses the quadriceps and the gluteus muscles as well as the knee tendon
and arch tendon areas like the defensive front kick, but with added movement
towards the target by using the hips as well. While the defensive front
kick (as its name suggests) is most effective on advancing opponents to
stop them, the offensive front kick is almost the complete opposite. The
kicking leg has a very long 'wind up' period compared with that of the
defensive version meaning that the resultant power is much greater. The
problems associated with this over the defensive is that because of the
longer 'wind up' period, the kick is seen earlier and can be more easily
intercepted.
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1) Stand in the ready stance. |
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2) While shifting the weight of the body on
to the front leg, begin to lift the kicking leg. The upper part of
the body should remain upright at all times, and the arms should be
kept as close to the face as possible to protect the head and torso.
The supporting foot should face towards the target area at all times
during the kick, and should never move. |
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3) Continue raising the leg using the quadriceps,
passing the supporting leg, keeping the lower half of the leg at right
angles to the top half of the leg. Also use the hips by swinging them
round into the target to add extra power into the kick. At this point,
the leg is in what's known as the 'chamber position'. Depending on
how well the entire leg was 'wound up' at this point the power and
swiftness of execution of the kick is determined. It is of vital importance
the body is completely balanced at this point, or the kick will lose
a lot of power during execution. For this reason, the arms should
still be raised, and the back should still be straight. |
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4) As should be viewed on the video, the movement
from the chamber position previously to this should be one steady
flow of movement and not just one after the other. The momentum of
raising the leg should be carried though to the bottom half of the
leg - much like a 'whip' effect. The point of contact with this kick
is the ball of the foot; so you must remember to pull the toes back,
but point your foot. The important things to remember is that when
kicking the target, the target area has to have been hit before the
leg even reaches this position. Essentially kicking 'through' the
target. (I find maximum power is reached just after midway between
the chamber position and point where leg is fully locked). The other
very important thing is to control the kicking leg during the kick.
I can not stress this point enough. NEVER let the leg fully extend
when the kick is executed. The whiplash effect on the knee if over-extending
the leg can cause serious, sometimes irreparable damage to the knee.
I have found that making sure that just before the point of full extension,
tense all the muscles within the leg. This prevents the leg from being
completely locked out by ensuring that the tensing of the hamstrings
counters that of the quadriceps. |
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5) After execution, it is important to retract
the leg as quick as it was executed, bringing it through the same
path that brought it there. |
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6) After execution, it is important to retract
the leg as quick as it was executed, bringing it through the same
path that brought it there. |
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7)Back in to the ready stance |
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Click here to see the kick in action !
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