“The Question Mark” Kick
Someone once asked if KaizenTao utilizes kicks and if I had ever heard of one called, the ‘question mark’ kick used in the UFC.
We have kicks but I’d never heard of one called Question Mark kick. It looks to me like the traditional roundhouse kick. It is most effective when preceded by a low line feint at the groin to draw the opponent’s arms down before going up to the face.
It amuses me how today’s UFC/MMA fans think these elementary techniques are new and unique to their sport. What’s old is fashionable again.
This clip is from a class on various kicks for first responders, bouncers, MIL, LE. My students (kneeling in white gi) is a 7th degree Black Belt who’d studied directly under General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Tae Kwon Do ITF organization.
The partner is Nick Kiritz Sensei, a 5th dan black belt under Mitsugi Saotome- Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and a certified Model Mugging National Self-Defense Trainer. At this particular moment in his life, he felt strongly, that high kicks do not work on the streets and stated that, “You can see them coming from miles away so they can easily be grabbed, notwithstanding the lack of stability from standing on one leg.” the usual clichés stemming from not having dealt with a good kicker.
Naturally, I invited him to come feel for himself and try to catch my leg. He’s since re-calibrated his stereotype on kicks and many other things.
A properly executed high kick is felt and not seen. Its success depends on skill level, distance management, setup and the opponent’s state of mind. It is not a high percentage technique by any means, but it shouldn’t be dismissed or ridiculed either. Those who don’t think high kicks are problems, probably haven’t had their jaws shattered by one.
Humility and an open-mind keeps you safe.
Truth in Training!
