Absolutely. If landed, this should be devastating and almost always a fight ender.

Well, I've never kicked anyone even half as hard as I could (and hope to never have to), so I can't really argue the point. I have dropped people and intentionally knocked them back, and the ones who went straight down were the ones in the most pain.

It depends on the type of kick, think of it like this: One is like trying to drive a log through something - thrust kick, the other is more of a "snap" that reverberates shock into the target. Using a pad, I cannot imagine trying the first kind of kick because pad simply won't work for it. For the second, honestly if you are unable to fully extend and that is the problem, not retraction.. just make your partner drop the pad until you can do it right, IMO.

Wow a name like IronFoot kinda suggest otherwise,lol. I only ever used this once in actual self defense. I dont think I used full power even, as I was trying to land it as fast as possible. With that said, it ended the fight immediately. He went straight down and stayed down.Four ribs broken.

If your partner or instructor says you arent getting enough power on a snap kick then you are probably trying too high. lower the kick, like Zach suggested.

There is a misconception out there about "snap" techniques. Yes, we emphasize pulling them back, but after some "time on contact".

I don't practice speed on my kicks - adrenaline in a "real" situation will help. Most people can't defend kicks, anyway, so my thought would be to kick a hole clean through an opponent.

I would agree with that concerning most kicks,but Ive seen too many front kicks get caught, either by skill or pure accident. I think if you are going to use it in a defense situation, it should be of the speedy and snappy variety.

Drive the snapping kick through the target and then it's a real powerful kick.

I don't practice the ''thai style'' or pushing type of kick... There should be no bending backwards if your trying to deliver impact to a target.

Hello Ironfoot:

<<The front THRUST kick is delivered with the heel rather than the ball of the foot, and should propel him backwards.

IYV, the thrust by design moves people, buys the the kicker more space? Its primary purpose if you will?

How does the heel work in the thrust you describe? I would have thought the ball of the foot as the point of contact regardless of which technique.

Doesn't the heel as contact point demand a much higher knee, much, much higher height to thrust forward to the torso? Just want to make sure I understand the technique you describe...

Jeff

Sorry it took me so long to reply, Ronin.

You may want to knock someone away for a variety of reasons. It may be that you just want to "discourage" them.

The heel thrust does require the knee to be higher, since it works best as a descending kick. Targets are just above the groin or just inside the hip bone. Find out what 3 areas people get hernias in, and those are the spots!

This kick should also include that "hip roll" upwards some have described in front kicks.

Ive always used the ball of the foot for this kind of kick. The smaller surface area equals greater penetration into the opponent.