KerwinBenson.com Hidden Gems of Martial Arts

Trying it Both Ways

Now, were we discussing rear, front-thrust kicks or back kicks?

I wanted to invent an exercise that got me used to the change of angles when dealing with a rear-leg kick. My intent was to limit the kinds of attacks, so I'd have to get many repetitions of practice on a single theme.

I came up with two variations:

1) For this exercise, we are talking about front-thrust kicks with the rear leg.

Get so accustomed to dealing with the rear leg, that it really does feel slow to you. Try your stop kicks. Try counter kicking. Work some combinations. Even try moving out of the way when the kick starts.

And of course, once you are completely used to that rear leg, have your partner add back in an occasional front leg "surprise."

This exercise doesn't teach you to kick with your rear leg. It provides a way for you to familiarize yourself with responding to the different angles of a rear-leg attack.

2) Forcing the Issue with a Back Kick

And this time, 'you' get to do the kicking.

Of course, you could play the game of never letting someone get behind you (not a bad idea for a real-life tactic), but then you wouldn't get any back-kick practice.

Allow your partner to "sneak up" from behind. Your partner attacks. You limit your response (counter) to a back kick.

Force the issue.

No matter what happens, you will respond with a kick behind you -- donkey style.

As soon as you counter, stop. Then have your partner attack again. Go for lots of repetitions.

By the time you are done with this drill, you want to be able to back kick -- high, low, slowly, fast, wide, straight behind, with looking, without craning your neck, etc.

Practice to the point that you are seeing and feeling back kicks in your sleep.