Good technical accuracy will make you a better sparrer, so let’s review the basics of kicking techniques.
Remember: every school teaches its own style of martial arts, and there are as many approaches to kicking, striking and blocking as there are martial arts.
There are four parts to a basic kick: the chamber, extension, rechamber and the set-down.
Doing so serves a number of functions: the knee serves as the targeting mechanism in the case of front and round kicks, or acts to ‘wind up’ the muscles for a side or hook kick; the motion serves to isolate the kicking actions to the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles; it can help to conceal the type of kick from your opponent and serves to increase the apparent speed of the kick.
One criticism of the chamber is that it can, if done poorly, inform your opponent about the kick in the same manner as the straight-leg kick.
The key phrase is, of course, “If done poorly” – meaning that you have to practice to make your chamber a smooth and contiguous part of your kick that benefits you and not your opponent.
Using the chamber also allows you to isolate the extension portion of the kick so that the major muscles working to propel the kick are the quadriceps for front and round kicks, and the hamstrings and glutes for the side and hook kicks.
For a number one kick – a lead leg kick, which is the fastest kick you can throw, even if it isn’t the most powerful – the sparring stance allows you to launch a front or round kick without adjusting the angle of the back foot.
Side and hook kicks will require a slight pivot to the back foot – but as this pivot can be done while you are throwing the kick, it leaves your opponent guessing as to which kick you are executing until you have already begun the kick.
There are two types of chambers: one for extensional kicks which use the quadriceps, and thrusting kicks which use the hamstrings and gluteals to drive the kick.
For an extensional kick, chamber your lead leg by bringing the knee up so that it is directed toward your intended target.
Make sure you work on both legs! Chambering for a thrusting kick is slightly different.
Flex your toes back so that your heel leads the kick.
Be careful: poor chambers include letting your knee drop, pointing your toes rather than flexing them, not looking at your target, and dropping your hands to the opposite side of your body, which will affect your balance and the power of your kick.
You can do the same drill for the side kick chamber as you did for the front and round kick chambers: mark a target and practice drawing your foot up, checking to ensure that your heel is on target.
Chambering for a number two kick is the same as for the lead leg kick, except that the front leg must pivot in order to execute the chamber Again, if you are working on a mat, it is imperative that you practice lifting up onto the balls of the lead foot so that your heel clears the height of the mat, then settle back into the desired position.
For a front or round kick, your lead foot will pivot about ninety degrees; that is, if your lead foot was pointing forty-five degrees to the right of your opponent at the beginning of the kick, you will lift you heel up, pivot your heel to your right, leaving your toes now pointing to the left of your opponent.
For a side or hook kick, the pivot will be even further; your pedestal foot should be angled almost 180 degrees away from your opponent.
Just take care not to lean over your pedestal foot when it points away from your opponent: always keep your head upright, and your hands up and toward your kicking side to help maintain good balance.
Practice executing the pivot and the chamber at the same time so that your kicking leg is in motion throughout the move.
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