Kung Fu Kicking

[Bob Patterson]

Those that follow my blog know that I've recently started 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. I'm still in the foundation building phase and a long way from "free sparring". Aside from the hand techniques we are being taught some of the basic kicks:

-Push kick
-Outside crescent
-Groin kick

In this style staying rooted is paramount. So we are drilled on stepping down heel-to-toe. In addition, most of the basic and advanced kicks have you pivoting on your heel, not on the ball of the foot!

So my question is to those of you who have transitioned from Karate or Taekwondo to Kung Fu: Is kicking this way better, worse, or equal to the typical "hard" arts?

The main reasons for the heel pivot has to do with the stance: It keeps you "rooted" for power and stability and also protects your groin (protecting the groin seems to be a dominant theme). Anyhow between two runs in Taekwondo I probably have five total years in the art. I have to say I'm having a hell of time learning to kick this way. When I do kick it's so slow and awkward that someone could knock my block off while I try to pull the kick off!

-BCP

[Dojo Rat]

Well, I'm a little jaded as far as kicking - I'm an old TKD guy too.
But all I ever use anymore are "toes out, or inverted" low kicks to opponent's shins and knees, and variations of low groin kicks. The above mentioned kick and the traditional front kick allow us to keep our centerline on the opponent. The variation I also use is what the Koreans called a "bandahl" or "half-moon kick" This is almost like a front kick that slides into a partial round kick, rolling the toes over to reach into opponent's defenses when he is in a stance that does not fully expose his groin. Kind of a slide-up low round kick.
I don't even use the side or turn-back kick which were my favorites any more. My range is closer and I can use those low kicks to close the gap much more efficiantly and without fear of him catching a kick and yanking me off my feet.
--Turning on the heel takes a little getting used to, but it is definately more efficiant in rooted stepping.

[Bob Patterson]

DR -

I discovered something while working out in Dojang Garage this morning....

Try this (you'll need a mirror):

Stand in front stance. Then execute a front snap kick to the mid-section (aim for center line) of an imaginary opponent. You don't even need to land back in front stance to see that your groin is open.

Now from front stance again but this time pivot on your heel with your toes pointing off to the left at a slight angle and do that same TKD front snap kick. You'll see that your kicking knee closes the groin opening.

It closes it even more from the Mantis fighting stance.

Very interesting...