As most of my Karate articles, this one is also dedicated to further develop self-defense efficiency, more specifically with kicks.
At the core, Karate is more multi-opponent & self-defense oriented than many other combat disciplines. Unfortunately, the evolution of Karate towards sport Kumite, being focused on a single opponent, has put this aspect of Karate in Jeopardy. Adding to it the many kicking drills that were developed in a single direction (in Front of you), and you have the perfect recipe to lose multi-directional self-defense kicking abilities.
Nowadays, many Karate-ka are practicing one on one sparring more than ever before. But how many of them are also practicing multi-directional / multi opponent sparring?
Being able to kick efficiently against multiple opponents in multiple directions, is one of the key elements of making your Karate kicks self-defense efficient. Most street fights involve more than two people, usually two on one, or even three on one. Consequently, it is very unrealistic from a self-defense stand point, to only practice sparring against a single opponent. While in a multi-opponent confrontation, dealing with each of your multiple opponents by always having to turn to face them is not a very efficient practice. Instead, I suggest that one should use the multi-directional aspect of Karate to deal with multiple opponents.
To illustrate my point, have you ever considered that an Ushiro Geri (Back kick) is by definition a Kick that is meant for a certain angle and direction? Imagine yourself in a left foot forward kamae (Guard);
Why would you ever want to kick someone directly in front of you with a back leg Ushiro Geri (right leg)? This would not give you a better reach than a back leg Mae Geri (front kick), the Mae Geri would definitely land much faster, and you would not have to expose your back while pivoting on your front leg (left leg) doing right Ushiro Geri. Yet, you have countless Dojos intensely teaching such “12 o’clock” back leg Ushiro Geri, while their students cannot do a simple Ushiro Geri behind them. Though I understand that practicing Ushiro Geri at the front can help get a better balance and rotation as an exercise, one must more intensely practice this kick towards the back (Between 5 and 7 o’clock). This does not mean a 12 o’clock Ushiro Geri cannot be devastating against a single opponent, but it is not efficient in a real confrontation with multiple opponents.
In a single opponent confrontation, a 12 o’clock” back leg Ushiro Geri, should only be used if for example you need to duck an attack on the right, slightly rotating right, and also notice your opponent has an opening, then use this momentum to keep turning in the same direction and spontaneously turn the move into a 12 o’clock” back leg Ushiro Geri, should this be appropriate at the time.
With regards to Ushiro Geri towards the back, I always tell my private students that it is the most important of all the kicks, simply because there is only little one can do while being attacked from behind, with no time to turn around, unlike the front and the sides that have many hand technique options available.
To take this multi-directional concept one step further, I believe there is an optimal angle and direction for each kick, and somehow all the Karate kicks, all together, are covering all 360 degrees all around you! Thus, maximizing kicks efficiency for self-defense in a multi-opponent environment (Mawashi Geri, Yoko Geri, etc..).
I hope this article got you inspired about the multi-directional / multi-opponent aspect of a real confrontation, and the need to practice your kicks accordingly to maximize your self- defense efficiency.
Toronto, Sensei Alpha - KarateBoost blog
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