| Many think of a shin kick as being beneath them, | | | | down after the first kick anyway, then hit makes |
| pardon the pun. It's the kick with a poor | | | | sense to cause more pain on the way down, |
| reputation. The shin kick is perceived by many to | | | | right? |
| be the antithesis of macho. | | | | End the Fight with Your Kick |
| Think of all the styles that promote high kicking, | | | | Believe it or not, I think of the shin kick as being a |
| kicks to the head. (I don't know about you, but I | | | | technique that can end the fight. All of the above |
| have no need in my everyday life to be able to | | | | uses are completely valid. They work. |
| kick a warrior off his horse. For me, the low kick | | | | If you land a solid kick, one that ploughs into the |
| is fine.) | | | | sensitive nerves on the shin, your enemy won't |
| Why Don't More Martial Artists Kick Low? | | | | be able to pursue you. You could escape after the |
| It's not a "fair" kick -- prohibited in many | | | | first move, if you are able to connect with your |
| competitions. | | | | foot. |
| Wait! Unfair? Prohibited in many tournaments? | | | | Note: If you have ever been accidentally kicked in |
| Sounds perfect for practical self defense! | | | | the shins during a soccer game, then you know |
| Many think of shin kicks in terms of: | | | | exactly what I am talking about. Sometimes, a |
| - An opening kick. Closest target is the shin. This | | | | little shin kick can end the game for the injured |
| is perfectly aligned to the "Bruce Lee Philosophy." | | | | player. A powerful move, wouldn't you agree? |
| - A great mid-fight distraction. Hand-to-hand | | | | Martial arts teachers should teach both |
| combat when suddenly, BAM. If your opponent is | | | | kick-and-escape exercises and also |
| worrying about your hands, then he or she may | | | | kick-and-control drills. Sometimes, you'll want to |
| miss what you are about to do at shin or knee | | | | kick the shin and move on to the next opponent. |
| level. | | | | Other times, you'll want to kick and flee. And |
| - A stop kick to prevent your opponent from | | | | there may be times where you will kick the shin, |
| kicking high. If you have read anything about | | | | and kick it again... as you eye jab and elbow strike |
| mid-beat interruptions, or interception, this is a | | | | the kidneys. |
| good place to start. | | | | The shin kick really is versatile. Of course, you |
| - A secondary kick. After a higher kick, stomp | | | | need the right technique, to successfully land one. |
| down into the shin. Hey, if your leg has to come | | | | |