Calf Kicks for Self Defense & Fighting

[@parthasarkar7315]

The calf kicks had been widely in use in Ashihara Karate a full contact karate form which evolved out of Kyokushin Kai Karate with more focus on Sabaki or circular footwork system. Someone somewhere found the effectiveness and started using it in modern MMA and as always If it works it will find its way to the top. Thanks a lot for this comparative analysis of the 3 dominant low kicks. Highly appreciated 👍

[@FredKuneDo]

Love it. What someone can do to build power for the ankle sweeps: Invest some time in training "outside-to-inside-crescent-kicks". Mainly because you pull your leg with the hip abductor muscles, which is very different from the muscles used for roundkicks.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

That’s a good tip!

[@thejanitorssweeps5883]

Good video I've been an advocate of kicks to the calf and ankle and front of the shin for 30 plus years

[@angelsjoker8190]

Maybe it's also worth mentioning that all those kicks have a slightly different range with the body kick having the longest range as the leg extends straight away from your body. High kick to the head and low kicks extend at an angle thus shortening the range. It gets a bit mitigated as your opponents' legs, depending on their stance, are also slightly closer to you than their body (or head). So it's important to gauge the distance to the individual target. A nice variant of the calf kick is targeting the back-leg calf. Condition your opponent with regular low (thigh) kicks until he automatically starts lifting his leg to check, then make an "obvious" low kick but go under the lifted leg and hit the rear leg calf. He won't be able to defend as while his front leg is up to check the supposed low kick, all his weight is on the rear leg making it impossible to move away.

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

I have never heard about that way defend the calf kick, gotta try it out in my next sparring session. I only know how to turn the shin out so the calf kick hits the shin

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Jose Aldo does this a lot in his fights. I find it’s really effective for dodging those calf kicks AND has the added benefit of giving your opponent the tip of the knee if they aim for the quad

[@raccoonmyroom6861]

This is the best video on leg kicks. I love the why. Also, you really helped me with my sweeps. Keep it up!

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I appreciate that! Thank you

[@seanhiatt6736]

We did this in TKD (ITF), years ago I believe we called it a "sweep kick".

[@LIBERWOCKY]

Fantastic. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@georgegoodyear9631]

Very informative Thank you.

[@davidwayne9982]

GREAT VIDEO-- and YES agreed!!!!

[@amospizzey1]

Ashi barai / foot sweep is a truly effective technique followed up with a punch ⚡️🥋

[@BayushiAramoro]

As an instructor (self defense/jkd) I always talk about this, I'm amazed that usually nobody does, and I'm glad to see this video (great summary, by the way)

[@CombatSelfDefense]

I’m glad you like!

[@True_black_swordsman]

You earned my subscription !!!

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Awesome! Glad to hear it!

[@Myidealbody]

Tommy you're back! .... Oh. RIP.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

He died doing what he loved - getting kicked in the head.

[@jkdcolorado]

Nice man

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Thanks!

[@kungfujoe2136]

JOLLY GOOD SHOW OLD CHAP

[@KarateUnity]

Love your stuff brother!! Don't know why I didn't find you earlier....let's stay in touch please.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Glad you’re subscribed now!

[@staysafemartialarts]

Love me some low kicks. Lot more practical for both sport and self defense. I found kicking higher, if I was not fully warmed up or anything I would pull a muscle or eat shit 😂

[@CombatSelfDefense]

That's the other side of the coin, right? Low kicks are the inflexible person's cheat sheet.

[@staysafemartialarts]

@@CombatSelfDefense I mean I am decently flexible, however I have more success with lower kicks both with power and speed than I ever have had with higher kicks. Plus being a short/stocky guy, it works for me lol

[@CombatSelfDefense]

@@staysafemartialarts I didn’t mean to imply that you specifically are inflexible - I meant in general it’s a good option for people who can’t kick high

[@staysafemartialarts]

@@CombatSelfDefense oh I know! I was just saying

[@hopelesslydull7588]

Eyyyy Tommy!

[@CombatSelfDefense]

He got his job back

[@blackadder564]

Conor McGregor disagrees.

[@CombatSelfDefense]

Robot shin to the contrary