The Kicking techniques we use in our system of Jiu Jitsu are typical of what you would see in most Karate Schools and the Front Kick is one of the most basic of those strikes.

The Front Kick may be very basic but that does not make it ineffective, it is important, especially in Self Defense styles that core techniques are very simple movements requiring only gross motor skills.

In high stress situations it is important to have these gross motor techniques that can be recalled with ease.

The Front Kick is carried out effectively by lifting the knee and extending the leg towards the target, using the ball of the foot as the point of contact. Using the back leg and incorporating the hips into the technique, a great deal of power can be generated.

The Front kick can be directed towards various sensitive targets to help maximize its effect. Targets such as the femoral nerves in the inner and outer thighs, the knees and the groin can all have a great impact.

Strikes do not need to be directed high as the targets just mentioned can be so effective, however, the Front Kick can also be directed at the Solar plexus and the Chin if you have that extra flexibility and confidence to carry out such a kick.

Off the nearest leg to the intended target, it can be used with the perception of   lighting speed as a distracting strike to help set up further strikes or from the rear leg, it can be used as very powerful strike.

At the end of the day, the Front Kick is a really effective kick that is greatly underestimated and underused. It is so easy to learn and incorporate.

As with all strikes, incorporate those elements that make a strike more effective into the Front Kick; strike through the target, aim at weak and sensitive areas and shout out (Kiai) as you strike.

Practice your Front Kick in techniques training, use it on the bags along with your other techniques, practice on the striking shields and best of all incorporate the Front Kick in your sparring sessions where you can really see how to make it work.

Train Hard - Train Smart - Fightwize

One area that is so easy and inexpensive to utilise these days is Martial arts Video. Use it to improve your current level of skill. A camcorder can be bought very inexpensively. A tripod makes filming easier and also the footage look a better quality.

There is very little technical skill required in order to get this done so do not let that hold you back.

The ability to record footage of your training is so easy to do and to upload onto your Computer or straight into a format that can be viewed and studied. Look for areas that are strong but also look for those areas that require improvement.

Martial Arts Video is especially a great tool for keeping up kids enthusiasm for training as they love to see themselves on TV or the computer.

Regardless of whether you use Martial arts Video to keep up enthusiasm, to track progress or to study techniques, it is a great, simple and inexpensive tool that you really should be taking advantage of.

Train Hard - Train Smart - Fightwize

Its always good to have our stories in the local Calgary news. This was from one of our recent Self Defense Courses in Calgary, Alberta.

The article reiterates how simple body movements can be used for very effective striking techniques.

In fact Self Defense must be simple to be effective as most people are simple not capable of carrying out complex movements in a high stress situation.

All of our techniques utilise Gross Motor skills which are simple body movements that virtually all people are capable of carrying out.

This is a real good short video demonstrating Judo Throws - See what you think

In Martial Arts and Self Defense, students and teachers look to gain a maximum effect, a maximum advantage over their opponents using many methods, one such method is by knowledge of such areas considered by many as “Deadly Pressure Points“.

These extremely sensitive areas of the body will give the ability to cause intense pain quickly and effectively and will create obvious advantages.

In modern day use the outcome does not have to be deadly, pressure points are more so used to gain a significant advantage by producing significant pain in the area when struck or simply when a force is applied to that area.

These areas can be used to gain a significant advantage through intense pain but also you can use them to make the opponent move in a specific direction by applying the force to a specific target. This becomes very practical when applying take-downs (throws) or Hold-Downs (submissions).

Pressure points allow the person applying a technique to use a minimal amount of force to gain a significant effect.

Police and Security Forces throughout the world, rely on these potentially deadly pressure points to maximize the effect of their own techniques. PPCT has become a popular addition to their curriculum.

Deadly Pressure Points exist all over the body and can be accessed in many ways by using many different tools of the body. The fingers, fists, elbows, knees and feet are all ultra valuable tools in accessing these areas effectively.

Another area that can create a significant advantage is the knowledge of motor nerve points, with effective striking ability, this creates the ability to temporarily disable the functionality of a limb, by traumatizing the nerves that supply it.

So in summary, the extreme sensitive areas of the human body should not necessarily be considered as deadly pressure points, however, they can be used to gain a significant advantage by helping you to maximize your effect with a minimal amount of effort.