In this kung fu training video Sifu Phu talks about how you can counter a Low Kick.
One of the ways we counter kicks is by using our legs. While it’s important to use good technique it’s equally important to train your legs so that you can effectively defend against a kick.
Here are three area’s you can focus on that will make an effective kick blocking machine.
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- The first thing you need to do is strength training.
Iron Pillars, Tree Climbers, Dragon Slides If you start practicing this every week in a couple of months you will have the energy and strength you need to defend against the average persons kick. - Next you can work on your coordination.
Leg Training – Coordination and Balance - When you are dealing with low kick or even a mid level kick the best type of leg defense is what is called a slant kick.
Learn the Slant Kick
Personally I found blocking low kicks with a counter kick was difficult while I was learning how to do it.
A few things I needed to do to make improvements on my kicks was to strengthen my hip flexors. Focus on seeing the big picture.
What I mean by: “focusing on the big picture“. Basically you have to train to develop your timing. You do this by sparring with others you also do this by learning how to see correctly.
What I mean By: “Seeing Things Correctly“. What you don’t want to do is get caught staring at the persons hands or shoulders etc… What you want to do is see nothing and see everything.
Here’s something you can practice with a partner. Have them throw punches at you. Your job is to see their entire body while not focusing on any one spot. Make sure you can see their head as well as their feet.
In our videos you will often times see us looking away from our opponent we do this so we can use our peripheral vision. In this way you are more easily able to see what is coming at you without getting fooled.
If you practice this correctly you should be able to speed up your response time when someone attacks you. (Video demonstration coming later).
How do you deal with low kicks?
Very helpful. So often it happens that I’m starring at the hands in wing Chun or the stick in escrima…practicing to get used of your peripheral seeing is very important. I guess the first and most important step to change this, is to get aware of this own behavior and to practice consistency in seeing correctly 😉
Good stuff!!!!