Page 49 - Pat O'Keeffe Combat Kick Boxing

Targets and Techniques

Lead Leg Side Kick
The lead leg side kick can be used as both a stop/hit and as a punishing finisher.
Like the lead leg front kick, there are two versions of this kick, the attacking and
the defensive. Further, the very nature of this kick makes it especially suitable
against weapon attacks, cutting as it does directly into an assailant’s angle of attack.
To throw the attacking lead leg side kick, place your rear leg directly behind
your front leg. Bend the knee of your front leg, keeping the heel in line with the
hip. Drive your lead leg forward with plenty of hip behind it, making contact
with the heel. At the finish of the kick, the heel, knee, hip and shoulder should be
in a straight line. (Figs. 50 and 51)
The defensive lead leg side kick is the stop/hit version of the kick, and is exactly the
same as the attacking lead leg side kick, but without the initial step up. Practise this
kick in both its versions on the bag and the focus pads. As with all stop/hit techniques,
the ‘snap up’ focus pad drill should be used to practise timing. The main targets are
the stomach, floating ribs, thigh, lower abdomen, knee, and the shin.

Fig 50

Fig 51
49