The Secret Leg Kick Target That Nobody Talks About!

[@hard2hurt]

We discuss targeting for the front kick in the Front Kick Focus course at hard2hurt.teachable.com

[@DaNDmsIsgfP24S]

hard2hurt sup

[@driver3899]

The course is sounding better and better sneaky things like this is what keeps me up at night

[@driver3899]

@Hunter Hall I was just wondering about this very thing and trying them out in my kitchen haha Do you like the opposite side or same side knee for it?

[@hard2hurt]

@Hunter Hall ssshhhh

[@hard2hurt]

@@driver3899 ssshhh

[@davidbakker-wester113]

The guy in purple reminds me of my first best friend from 37 years ago. Alfons I mis you.

[@hard2hurt]

Damn Alfons come back to this guy.

[@ZholGoliath]

I need a woman in my life that loves me the way Santiago loves Alfons 🥰

[@ededdison8965]

@@ZholGoliath my wife loves me like that. And David - I'm rooting for you to find a new love bud. There's billions of people out there. Your chances are good bro 👍🏼

[@benitocamelo8944]

We need a campaing yo find Alfons

[@brophymusprime593]

This is the most wholesome comment thread on youtube

[@SenseiSeth]

Mikes getting into pressure points 👀😂

[@hard2hurt]

Yeah duh

[@fauxbravo]

Bring on the no-touch knockouts.

[@lvlupent.7334]

Dim Mak foot edition

[@wahoo31151]

@@fauxbravo If you have done BJJ you know that stinky GI guy is more than capable of no touch knockouts.

[@GreaPal]

he slowly becomes, the very thing he oathed to destroy !!!

[@Xf2tygr]

This is the definition of precision striking. Don't just hit, hit with purpose. Really great tip.

[@brottarnacke]

”I swear to God ref, I was only trying to knee him in the Tensor Fasciae Latae!”

[@kareeme2624]

underrated comment

[@SwordFighterPKN]

I learned about that spot in the early/mid 90's from a Thai boxer, it SUCKS to be kicked there.

[@hard2hurt]

I know other people have worked on it i just couldn't find any videos on it

[@SwordFighterPKN]

@@hard2hurt - Oh you are right I have never seen a video of it either. Actually I totally forgot about that kick since you don't see it used much. Its just one of those "back in the day" type of techniques that are out there but not used much. Keep up the great work, awesome channel!

[@kenthan9388]

Yea, I learned to teep and oblique kick that spot in Muay Thai. It's not high %, but if you miss you can still get a decent body shot in.

[@bezimeni0477]

I saw this few monts ago from my bjj trainer when we were all messing around. I thought ot was some old school leg kick that people forgot but i was wrong

[@Thunderhowl]

This brought me back to my old karate days. We used a front kick or teep in this spot to drive the hips back & set up a straight left or right cross. Getting kicked there in training always sucked. 😂

[@thedarklord7003]

"Death Star of a human" I'm gonna incorporate that expression into my vocabulary... somehow.

[@Hexenhammer]

He's not wrong either. One should not teach monsters to kick people. It's horrifying enough knowing that some of them know how to punch. 😬

[@wahoo31151]

Recent UFC shows that Calf kicks can damage the brain, just ask Sean O'Malley.

[@MFOMEGA]

That’s cold 😂

[@Tobi1Kanobi93]

That kick from Chito hit the back of the knee right on the peroneal nerve, not the calf that. Watch Demetrius Johnson vs Henry Cejudo the first time, and you see DJ hitting Cejudo there, and his foot goes numb and he starts to roll on his foot just like Sean did, difference is Cejudo regained control of his foot rather quickly, but Sean did not.

[@wahoo31151]

@@Tobi1Kanobi93 Re-watched it, great eye for detail man you are right.

[@hard2hurt]

Ouch

[@Mcnutt420]

@@Tobi1Kanobi93 on the nose, anatomy can be a bitch

[@hardcaliber19]

"Let em think yer kickin wrong. Yeah. Let em think that." Lol, pearls of wisdom from Icy Mike.

[@hard2hurt]

I also like to tap during drills when the other white belts don't have the sub in right so that they don't get better.

[@hardcaliber19]

@@hard2hurt See! So much to learn from this channel. 😂

[@WillofStone08]

@@hard2hurt Ah shit now that's a genius idea!

[@0713mas]

Cliff's face when he realized he'd been hit there before and how much it sucks. I think I made the same face when I pushed around on the spot. Awful feeling and fatigues the hell out of you in sparring, the only saving grace may be, as said it's close to the hip so as a technique the risk /reward quickly gets involved if overused. As always great info!!! Love the channel

[@hanhdrew]

“Want to feel mine? Feel yours, keep your hands to yourself” 😭😭😭😂😂😂

[@Mcnutt420]

Anatomy wise, the tfl is in line with the groin, so imagine your trying to aim for the groin through the outside of the leg, people tend tear this muscle alot by accident

[@hard2hurt]

I actually kinda like that explanation for targeting... will also help people chop through.

[@Mcnutt420]

@@hard2hurt keep up the awesome job keeping people safe, wishing I could spar with you, all the way from toronto, ont

[@sharpshooter9407]

The return of the LEG MOSSCLE

[@driver3899]

LEGH MAHSSEL

[@hard2hurt]

LAEYGHGH MOWZULL

[@yougood809]

LMAOO Nobody says it better than Mike.

[@dropkickcorpse]

If I remember my sports anatomy class, I think injury to that spot is commonly known as a "Corked Thigh" (Intramuscular Contusion). It's really common for tackled football/rugby players to get this injury when the tackler's knee runs into a player's leg and since the muscle on top of the thigh is a bit thinner than the lower quad, it makes it easier to pinch/crush the muscle fibers inside the muscle sheath against their own femur.

[@texterfnc8319]

Corked shoulders are pretty bad too lol

[@My_Naginta]

The wife hates it when her wine is corked. Wait, what channel am I on?

[@gabrielrivard3332]

Great video as usual! As a physiotherapist, I'd add that one of the primary roles of the tensor fascia lata is to provide tension in the iliotibial band (hence the stabilizing effect for the hip). Disrupting that with a few well placed strikes can impair the opponent's mobility, motor control and power generation with the leg that's targeted

[@pattymalarkey628]

Dude interesting! When I feel the spot on my leg I cringed at the though of getting kicked there. Ouch!

[@hard2hurt]

It sucks. Notice Cliff is a very tough dude and look how he flinched when he thought I was going to kick him there again.

[@luiskross6454]

@@hard2hurt Kick him in the calf hard, he'll probably punch you in the face, calf kicks are so much more damaging even one will do major damage plus the calf is a bigger target than that little

[@ranaamir9073]

hard2hurt lol I legit made a face when he got kicked there

[@artifex2.080]

I aim my leg kicks at the ground for the pocket sand effect

[@hard2hurt]

Up your power levels so you can create earthquakes.

[@pixinstone7414]

In TKD, I always taught my students to target this area with push kicks more as a psychological attack than anything else. It can easily push your opponent to the ground reducing his confidence.

[@SantiagoRodriguez-zi3gv]

Could be a good target for the oblique kick as well

[@hard2hurt]

Sssshhhh

[@camfer9616]

oldschool savate did that, one of their signature mooves! looks super cool if it lands correctly

[@norgnt]

That reminds me of Lorenz Larkin vs Neil Magny where Larkin used oblique kicks very effectively right around that area high up on the leg.

[@camfer9616]

@@norgnt just watched it! dude landed right on his ass with that wtf just happened face

[@liamcage7208]

We used to target that spot with elbows (forearms actually) after catching someone's middle-high round kick. Hold the leg with one hand then step in and drive the forearm in. Because it is a hip flexor they tend to buckle and go down (drop to their butt). I'm not sure its exactly the same spot but its very close.

[@hard2hurt]

ouch

[@toddellner5283]

Heh. My first Silat teacher called it the "Fold Up Like a Taco Point"

[@MrBatraaf]

Great tips! When I was a kid, me and my friends used to try to get eachother by kneeing the side of the leg. It causes a form of light paralysis of the upper leg. We call it the "ice bone" or "to give an ice bone". Later, my trainer made a point of always harassing your opponent in such a way, whenever an opportunity presents itself. There are similar spots on the front of the thigh and the calf, which you can hit with your heel when clinching. You don't see it used much anymore, but just this week I was watching an old Rob Kaman fight and there both fighters were actually constantly doing this type of harassing attacks.

[@kravmagacaveira]

Great vídeo bro

[@hard2hurt]

Thanks man

[@TheGamer-fb2zn]

CAVEIRA!!!!!!

[@Robnoxious77]

I’ve got a hip screw and full plate that runs 6 inches down the outside of my femur. It’ll hurt me, but it’ll hurt you more 🤣

[@kencoffman7145]

ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH THIS! Dealing with hip and lower back issues that focus on the nerves in that area! Results of a car accident but if someone were to hit that spot you'll drop. I'd suggest being a bit offline and hitting the pocket where the ball joint and butt cheek meet.

[@Jedi_Jed]

My favorite videos are the ones with Cliff in them. I do my best attempt to impersonate Cliff's stoicism when people are messing with me. It helps. Thanks dude you're a boss!

[@AZTigerMMA]

We target the low triangle above the knee . The IT band attachment. I like your concept. We teach this modern self defense like you and Hoover ect. It’s like MMA Krav Maga but more we sprinkle in Pannantucan for our advanced guys ! Love what we do but this is a tough path ! Respect

[@olliefoxx7165]

I like this channel. They study the game looking for any possible arrows to put in your quiver. Well done and shown

[@FightDad]

5:30 "...Then my life ends!" 🤣🤣

[@Gregor1911]

Just call it the TFL 😂 I think its main function is to put tension on the lateral fascia & the it band (iliotibial) The muscle does that from the front with a counterbalance from the glute max from the back, so the it band is kind of "balanced". Thank u for another very interesting vid🤙

[@thepaleoconservativefortru5707]

Star wars reference lmao. Exhaust port to his death star he says 🤣

[@hard2hurt]

I thought it was a good one.

[@LuisNgchongJrArt]

*lol😀*

[@SWCCandTF]

As a massage therapist and runner the TFL (Ten-sor Fa-sha La-ta) flexes thigh at the hip (knee lift), abducts thigh at hip and assists medial rotation of the thigh. It’s important for knee drive of runners (sprinting in particular), squatting and general stabilization as originates at the hip and inserts into the IT band (illio-tibial band) which runs from the hip and crosses the knee. A huge stabilizer for the leg and tough as hell.

[@marcelobalarezo6604]

cliff's face its the best thing that has happened to this channel

[@disequalone]

I love this, I also think you could follow up if you land the kick and damage that spot you can go for a single and if you grab the injured leg, dig your shoulder into that spot, if you grab the opposite leg then their base is already compromised. I'll practice this a lot. Thank you.

[@jigganautt9487]

I didn't know Ricky Williams got into fighting. Ya boi look high AF!

[@oscarmunoz3227]

Finally you learn how to kick that good and showing people 👏

[@inaciolino]

My dad learned this tip in the army. It was 50 years ago. It really works.

[@samuel-JF1981]

If I remember, the fascia lata tensor muscle connects to the upper portion of iliotibial band, keeping It tensioned and stabilized. Also acts as secondary hip and knee flexor. It's a small but efective target! My favorite one is the the lateral tendon of femoral biceps.

[@baldieman64]

Like the medial hip flexor. Nobody hits it with an oblique kick in competition because it gets called as a nut shot, even when it isn't - but it works just fine for fighting.

[@giandeau]

The eye roll as 3:30 is the best thing I've seen today

[@eliottreynart5722]

I learned about this one a few years back in krav maga, and its actually the only pressure point i can remember and use efficiently in training, good stuff !!

[@gyrox0031]

I got front kicked there during sparring and it folded me in half 😂😂😭

[@OnTheRiver14]

travis Yes it goes back to normal

[@GLPitt1]

Might be safer to hit that spot with a teep/front kick.

[@surgeeo1406]

This is totally a woo-woo pressure point, which damages the "Chi Flow" of your leg! 😮 Beliefs may change, but the body doesn't.

[@i-evi-l]

There liver shot is a pressure point attack because it shocks the nervous system, aka what a pressure point affects.

[@DiscoFang]

Latin pronunciation: The ae in classical Latin is pronounced like the word "eye". The sound evolved in modern Latin to the "-ay" sound in "tray". So you choose, but realise that you should really just keep it consistent when you pronounce it at the end of both of the words "Fasciae Latae".

[@nesto9889]

Just say it like "eye"

[@jc-kj8yc]

My old Muay Thai coach was a wizard at hitting this. He would find it even with his eyes closed. Sparring him was an absolute nightmare!

[@catocall7323]

I was toughy to pronounce it similar to 'latte'. It translates to lateral fascia tensioner because it tensions the IT band which is a band of fascia on your lateral leg. The movement it activated is leg adduction. But of course it helps stabilize both leg flexion and extension which would be a common function of adductors and abductors

[@RendezvousWithRama]

We always just pronounced it "lata" in anatomy class. Like "latte," but with "a." It just means lateral. In other words, it's a muscle that pulls on the fascia (muscle sheath) located on the side of the leg :)

[@joelguy2949]

I have used it before in training because I am short and it just seems to have worked in my 45 years but thanks for explaining more than others

[@setentaytres5303]

I’m a physical therapist. We learned as tensor fascia LOTTA in school. That may be wrong, but my anatomy instructor swore that she was an anatomy savant, so that’s the pronunciation I’ve always gone with🤷‍♂️

[@Twoyutes74]

Learned that takedown in bjj. Mind blown. I KNOW that spot. Wow. Ty.

[@ArmadusMalaysia]

That last tip is gold.

[@pomponishitfaced5355]

If you're being dirty in boxing you can also target this area to not throw a real "low blow" so to speak but even repeated punches to the hip flexor/ hip area can weaken legs over time

[@upliftedlife9701]

I started doing that in sparring and my coach took me aside and told me if I’m going to do that I need to do it softer because It can inflict serious damage. But I had no idea that was the case I would just aim for that spot instead of throwing a round house to the ribs.

[@Hbrute]

Massage therapist and martial artist here, can confirm the tfl is a soft spot on a Lotta folks and would suuuuck to get kicked at. Lotta places where you wanna be cautious on clients is ideal for targeting in martial arts. And how I generate power for a massage stroke is how I generate power for a punch. Turns out, healing and hurting are just two sides of the same coin. You always gotta cross a line to hurt someone though. Btw you can pronounce it "tenser fasha lattuh"

[@datkid605]

I'm not an anatomy guy but as TKD (and Muay Thai) practitioner I definitely love to aim there when people start charging me down in the street. Never knew the name of the nerve, but the more you know lol.

[@JordanReedYT]

This would definitely hurt but the 2x quicker option IMO is the upper Hamstring, just below the Glutes! Attacking the Hamstring while under load will cause immediate cramping!

[@madchal]

Anatomically, the insertion point of the Tensor Fasciae Latae is the IT band(which is cartilage, therefore not innervated and is avascular), so I'm assuming that the reason people say to target the IT band instead of the TFL is because it's easier to say and they are basically in the same spot, one directly inferior to the other.

[@rtyler1869]

We are taught to target this point in Kyoshukin because hit it 2 to 3 times, no more kicks to my head. Oh and if you watch kyoshukin bouts you see a lot of these and inside leg kicks

[@dbspaceoditty]

as a skateboarder who wrecked his body. that weird tendony thing helps keep the leg in the hip. when walking ill feel a sharp pain there then all of a sudden my leg aint attached anymore

[@aequitasification]

Yeah, that point is ridiculously vulnerable. It's my favorite place to kick. I've seen legs buckle from a kick there, and it's close enough to the hip axis that it usually twists their posture substantially.

[@gregoryhoffmann2703]

Great breakdown and different ways to attack.

[@tonesbones502]

My thoughts are if you can consistently hit that spot in sparing then you're already a gun fighter that probably doesn't need to learn such a risky move. The easier magic spot is the inside of their leading knee (with your leading foot). No wind up or switch, just shoot straight from your fighting position. Three hard ones well placed always has the guy reeling or sparing with their weight on their back leg. That pretty much eliminates their counters so you can get busy.

[@dreaddyhaha2838]

"T.F.L." I usually heard it pronounced as "ten-sore fa-sha latte" like a latte coffee drink. Regardless of how one chooses to call the muscle, Ur main point is correct & right on point. Strike the TFL at the correct spot and the leg goes limp which can effectively incapacitate ones' opponent quickly!

[@samohteel4393]

oh wow, Hips pads in high school football had a secondary purpose. I always wondered why it had that weird tab that came down across the outside of thigh. It was awkward and cumbersome, and slowed me down as I ran.

[@humanityenslaved3380]

I like to kick the knee cap with the instep of my foot as hard as I can so I can't properly walk for a few weeks. Shinguards with sock like instep so I can feel the bone structure of their knee better.

[@ninjajim7138]

That spot is very common for us with an outstep heel kick. Driving force just below the front of the hip. It is also a kick check in kung fu. If a round house is coming and you have time, send the stomp kick in to that spot you point out.

[@wabbagaming2184]

its also just the tensor facial ligament. And yes it works. Its really good to knee, kicking is a little harder. Also the reason why the inside of the shin hurts is because that is the fossa where all the soft tissue attaches so the bone has little bumps on it. There are quite a few spots on the body that are like the TFL, like liver, inguinal, solar plexus etc. But those shots usually take some set up on moving targets. Its like trying to get someone to raise their guard to land a left hook into their liver. Or catching the head of a floating rib. Its just super hard to just "hit" on a moving target. But with a little set up it can have some very rewarding pay offs.

[@furyano1251]

I was shocked to see this. This kick is so underutilized. I learned this kick from a Karate Master. That spot on the leg is sensitive. If landed just right, all it can take is one kick, there ability to move will change for the worst. Definitely good to know and practice. Knees, elbows and kicks to that area can work. Knees in the clinch. Be careful of groin shots.

[@1968djw]

I hit the hip bone once. The sparring partner said his leg gone numb. From then on that was my target. Cheers for confirming it does what you want a leg kick to do. HURT.

[@djiindovah7155]

I was taught this but from an Arnis dude but as a front kick or ghost kick to counter front charging tackles. Very effective, especially since they’ll usually bend forward and right into a knee

[@danedavidson]

Exercise Physiology Graduate here, trying to avoid too much jargon; TFL works as an abductor alongside Glute Medius to oppose the adductor (Groin) muscles, adductors pull the femur inwards, abductors pull the femur outwards. The tensions these two muscle groups provide oppose each other to keep the femur in a stable load bearing position. Shut off an abductor (TFL) through blunt trauma and the adductors will win that tug of war and the femur tends to collapse inwards.

[@hard2hurt]

Thanks man. That's what we've found as well... albeit the way we figured it out was much dumber and more painful.

[@pwkdrumscornerstoneartistm636]

The point on the hip you are focusing on is the trochanteric bursa sac location. Much pain with a light hit.

[@ChopItUpWithKamRu]

I love the strike. My coach had us work on elbow strikes & knife work going there in close quarter fighting . For self defense purposes . ‘Silat ‘ I love your content.

[@danmeyers2506]

The LFCN nerve is the target in outer thigh kicks it’s a much softer, larger and devastating target.

[@Guy-wl8jk]

My coach always told me to aim leg kicks at the head. This video has been helpful.

[@Guitarraeficaztutorialesytabs]

I remember my karate teacher (from the years when you actually had to be good at it) he would use this spot to stop you from getting closer and at the same time back fist you in the face (uraken uchi). It wasn't really a kick though, but I now realize it's potential. He was good (still is for sure), old school, the kind of guy that would hit the makiwara and break 18 red tiles with the tip of his fingers (nukite, spear hand, I saw it with my own eyes). Awesome video, definetely using this for my muay thai. THANKS!

[@STONEYDSP]

I've had a broken hip for years and had titanium screws in the area you discussed. 1 that ng was certain that it Hurts like shjit when I woke up in the morning, let stand alone a full out sidekick to that area some people might need to go to the hospital after word.

[@ZeKiran3]

Franck Ropers, a French self defense teacher taught that to hit that spot you can aim at the pant pocket with the higher part of the shin, this really hurt

[@silverousleonidas5790]

I remember on an old show called Human Weapon two fighters went to france where they were taught the basics of Savate, and during one of their training sessions a teacher showed them to target that same area with a push kick.

[@jamesduga1900]

The job of the TFL is to tense the IT band to create lateral stabilization. And it is pronounced Laa Taa Like Late the coffee drink with an ah sound at the end. And a good lead leg side kick there will buckle some one.

[@jobaccamasakado]

Again you pick the biggest, meanest looking cat in town to demonstrate your techniques on!!! Love your channel, but you sir, are a madman.... Keep it up!

[@GLPitt1]

That's actually the Tensor Fascia Ligament (TFL). And if you miss high, you may hit the hip bone & break your shin bone.

[@orsonincharge4879]

In close you want to be using the 3-4 inches just below the knee , use your hips for power .

[@bryguy07]

I watched this whole video and I’m probably never going to use this.. Lol but good to know, and you cracked me up the whole time. Great energy and great teacher 👌 10/10 - playful and informative. A true teacher!

[@pinterfe]

It was interesting what you said about kicking the hip bone. Actually, I was taught by an experienced muay thai fighter to use low kicks against the hip bone. To be more specific: to kick the spike of the hip (spina iliaca anterior superior) with the lower part of the shin. Not exactly the way you've done it in the video. The target is rather the front of the hip and not the side (I guess where the bone is covered by nothing but the skin) and the part of the attacking shin that makes contact is quite low, close to the ankle (I guess this bears the lowest risk of fracturizing or breaking the shinbone). He kicked me this way with let's say half power and I was KOd. Incredible, paralyzing pain. Therefore I think there is a legit method of low kicking the hip spike but it is out of question that it's an even more difficult target than the Tensor FL

[@ogrbell8297]

This is a prime target for southpaws on the rear leg. Its even more open due to the angles of the legs from the mirrored stances in SP v Ortho

[@avidgamer5676]

In traditional japanese martial arts it's the Koe area, its near where the femoral artery and femoral nerve begin before they run down the leg. Pressure point fighting Mike? who would have guessed haha.

[@zenchiro6033]

The TFL attaches to the IT Band. Also most anatomists and Drs I've heard say it like "latte" as if you are ordering at Starbucks.

[@Dragon227]

Another great video with effective explanations that make the technique useful.

[@ausmarkb]

I'm just commenting because I haven't watched the full video yet and I know how much you appreciate those well thought out points of view

[@hard2hurt]

Oh good thing!

[@dgerdi]

Nice advice. Thank you for introducing this pressure point to me. It is (unlikely others) nice to find and not easy to protect.

[@nixdapogs]

Nice to see Sokoudjou is doing well.

[@coopscommentary5372]

Oh shoot I've definitely got kicked on this drilling and didnt realize it at the time. Thought it was just a big strong dude kickin me. Also I LIKE the "late check" to make a leg kick ride up.

[@soupedkid13]

So basically. Dead leg them like we used to do in high school to each other walking down the hall (walk a bit faster than the guy next to you and back fist there) but this time, with your leg. I like it

[@erikthegreek1049]

Latae makes an "ea" sound, like earth

[@connoro331]

The ea in earth doesn’t even make an ea sound.

[@erikthegreek1049]

@@connoro331 idfk know how to explain it in text , u get wot im sayin

[@brihno360]

That area is a legit target for a lead leg side kick, you hit a dude anywhere in that upper IT band area couple of times and he’ll be hurting for it for a couple of days.

[@313Saj]

Just wondering what kind of strength training routine does cliff follow and does he have his own channel? He is a beast.

[@mxu111]

Looks like targeting the TFL could have all sorts of uses, esp. in grappling. It's not limited to striking.

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

When I used to spar my uncle growing up (He trains various Japanese systems striking and grappling) he would plant thrust pushing type of kicks on me right there, and it would make me fold over and completely thow my balance off, then he would take me down.

[@hard2hurt]

Impregnated with a pain baby.

[@iamharsh1411]

Please make a video on how to jab, practice of jab and how to add power in your jab