Why the human leg is the most dangerous weapon in a stand-up fight.
Kicking is a universal act of human aggression, leveraging the leg's superior length and power to strike from a distance. While high kicks offer aesthetic flair and surprising range, they often compromise stability. Mastering the trade-off between force and balance is the essential challenge of any effective combat system.
The English verb to kick emerged in the late 14th century, likely derived from the Old Norse term 'kikna,' meaning to bend backwards or sink at the knees. While kicking as an aggressive act has existed since prehistory, the documentation of high kicks—those aimed at the head or above the waist—is a more recent development. These techniques are primarily associated with East-Asian martial arts, though their exact origins remain difficult to trace. Some theories link them to Northern Chinese styles or the ancient Korean art of Taekkyon, while others point to the prevalence of high kicks in traditional Indochinese kickboxing.
In combat, the primary utility of a kick is to maintain distance and surprise an opponent. However, every strike carries a cost: the moment a fighter lifts their leg, they compromise their stability. Self-defense experts, such as Marc Macyoung, argue that for practical safety, kicks should be aimed below the chest to avoid losing balance or being grappled. Despite these risks, kicks are a staple of modern mixed martial arts. Fighters like Lyoto Machida and Edson Barboza have demonstrated that with proper technique, kicks can be devastating, leading to multiple knockouts.
The technical repertoire of kicking is vast, ranging from the powerful roundhouse—the most common kick in kickboxing—to the specialized 'showtime kick,' which gained fame after Anthony Pettis used it at WEC 53 in 2010. Other variations, such as the 'calf kick' popularized by Benson Henderson, target the lower body to cripple mobility. While some high-flying maneuvers like the butterfly kick are now largely relegated to demonstrations, the strategic application of low, quick, and deceptive strikes remains a fundamental, if risky, pillar of effective stand-up fighting.
Source: Kick
