I don't personally care much for kicking period, nevermind high kicks.

For all the purported power you get from them, they're slower than punching and more easily telegraphed. Consider that more knockouts are attributed to punching than to kicking.

I think it's wiser to develop your hands and let you feet do what they're supposed to do - move you around (moving your punching into and out of range).

-John

John,

For whatever reason, I enjoy kicking...am fairly adept at it, will probably try to use it. But I do understand and respect your comments and note where you are coming from.

But you do have a valid point in this area: I have never personally seen a real fight start with a kick....or, especially, end with a high one.

Warmest regards,
-B

Although I have practiced high kicks/combinations for some time, I would most likely only use leg kicks in a real fight, if at all.

How about using kicks in stop-hit? Kicking someone off balance? A kick faint?

There are a lot of street fighters that can make their kicks so that they are not telegraphed, I believe. A lot of it has to do it with participant ability and skill to read a situation.

Lee himself said, that "from a punch and a kick, I always go first with a kick". I think he said that because of the capabilities of stop hit and because his body structure and kicking ability. But for sure, kicking is often risky and not for everyone. I also prefer high punches over high kicks.

That's the UFC style of fighting but if you go to a TKD or TSD school the high kicks are normal and expected. To tell you the truth if you grabbed someone for a takedown it would be looked down upon and you would probably be told to stop. Not to change the subject but that is why it is so important for an MA student to visit or train in other styles. I see it all the time at seminars or when visiting other schools around the country, people seem to be brain washed that there style is the only one that works, one should as they say, "think out side the box a little and have an open mind toward other styles"

To get back to your original question about high kicks it all depend who your fighting and how much training they have regarding countering the high kicks. If I was fighting an MMA style fighter I wouldn't be throwing anything above his waist but if I was fighting in a point style TKD tournament it would be throwing the opposite.

not to sound ignorant, but isn't dictating what we would do in a fight, as we sit here on our computers alot like deciding that when we are in the woods we are gonna go 20 feet, turn left, go 40 feet, turn slightly to the right....reguardless of where the path goes.wait for the path then follow it. but dont choose before hand to not kick or punch to the high line...wait to see what the situation/path dictates...then apply.

Ive used them, and had them used against me. I think it depends on your physique and you training. I was heavy in tkd for a number of years and can kick effortlessly at any level. As for high kicks in UFC, watch Chuck Liddell. A world champion in the UFC and has used high kicks plenty and to ko a few times. So does Caol Uno. Seen Many Muay Thai guys attempt and land them as well. Its not the technique but the person.

Depend on how much time you spend in the wood, know what i mean

know what you mean

I have found that high kicks are too telegraphic and require too much space.They also leave you unbalanced and vulnerable to takedowns and leg/ankle locks.