Best Martial Arts Kicks for the Street
If we only trained Tae Kwon Do we could focus on just learning kicks. If we only practiced BJJ we could spend all of our time getting into the weeds with ground fighting.
But as martial artists focused on reality-based self-defense we have multiple areas of martial arts to practice:
Phew! That’s a lot of stuff!
Therefore we must be wise with our limited training time.
So today I’ll rank the best martial arts kicks by their usefulness for the street.
Vulnerable Areas of the Body
Let’s quickly review the best areas of the body to hit with kicks.
Testicles
This should be a big “duh!”
But many people are still in an MMA sport competition mindset.
A shot to the testicles is usually the easiest target to hit and will drop someone reliably. Always assume failure and have a follow up attack.
Solar Plexus
A solid shot to the solar plexus can knock the wind out of someone and drop them for several seconds just like a testicle kick.
It is not as reliable since if someone is ready for it and braces it won’t have the same impact.
Knees
The knees are the closest target on your opponent’s body making them easy to get to. A solid thrusting kick to the knee, such as the pendulum side kick, can wrench connective tissues and end the fight.
However your kick has to land on a knee that has weight on it or it won’t do much damage.
Also if you are light and can’t generate much power and your opponent is humongousaurus your kick might not do much.
Ribs
The ribs are very similar to the knee in that a solid kick to the ribs might crack a rib and end the fight but size matters. So does your timing, technique, power, etc.
You have to be able to put enough force into the ribs or it won’t do much.
Head / Neck
Obviously a good kick to the head or neck can cause an instant knockout.
But of course landing a kick to the head is another story. With all of the chaos of a real street fight, on uneven terrain, tripping and slipping hazards, an aggressive rushing opponent… well, let’s just say “good luck.”
Legs / Thighs
While leg kicks are common place and play an important role in MMA they have pretty low value in the street. Legs are tough and it takes a lot of cumulative damage over multiple kicks to start wearing a fighter down in the ring.
But a street fight is over in seconds. Consider that a single shot to the testicles could end a fight instantly.
Pendulum Side Kick
Since you can stay safely on the outside and keep attacking like a fencer, the kick is easy to recover from if you miss, and a good fight ending potential I’m giving it an A rank.
Front Thrust Kick
Since it is easy to learn, easy to apply, has great range, and makes a great stop hit I’m giving it an A rank.
Oblique Stomp Kick
Since it doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to be used, and you are in close enough to get punched I’m giving this kick a D rank. But since it is so easy to do you might as well keep it around for those rare chances to use it.
Oblique Snap Kick
You are in counter punching range and this kick doesn’t cause any damage so I give it an F- rank.
Rear Leg Roundhouse Kick
I know this is the darling of the sport martial arts world, as it should be in sport, but in the street I just don’t think it is a good kick. Most people can’t generate enough power with it to do much of anything. I give this kick a D rank.
Lead Leg Pendulum Roundhouse Kick
This is one of the best kicks you can have for the street. It allows you to stay on the outside and fire shots at their testicles before retreating to safety. It is easy to learn and use and recover from if you miss. Plus if you practice the pendulum side kick you barely have to practice this kick because it is so similar but easier. I give this kick an S rank.
Rear Leg Front Snap Kick
This is the easiest kick to learn and apply. It has great fight-ending potential. If your opponent is in an opposite lead this kick has easy access to the groin. I’m giving it an S rank to the testicles and a A- or B+ to the solar plexus or jaw.
Spinning, Jumping, Fancy Kicks
I would not waste my time with any fancy or spinning kicks for the street. I give them all an F rank.
Recommendations
If you want a bare-bones kick and won’t practice much then you want the rear leg snap kick to the testicles.
If you are wiling to put in a little bit of practice then add the lead leg pendulum roundhouse kick to the testicles.
If you are a dedicated martial artist then add in either or both the pendulum side kick and/or the rear leg front thrust kick.
Lastly if you are a lifelong martial artist then add the rear leg roundhouse kick.
Don’t bother with any others.
Now go sharpen your tools by getting your reps in.
Brian
