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shotokanman70
shotokanman70's picture
Front Kick Defense With Takedown

In this video, I demonstrate one way to block and counter a front kick. Gedan soto uke (outside low block) is used, followed by a counter attack. This drill, without the takedown, is in my curriculum for the 8th, 7th and 6th kyu tests. It's a compliant drill for beginning students and is great for developing good habits. This is good practice for those that teach and practice "fighting" skills. Obviously, this is only one layer of training. Resistance should always be a part of training regardless of rank.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Hi Andy,

Nice drill that’s good for distancing and body shifting. Very well broken down too. The drill you show is almost identical to the same progression one of teachers does. At first, students counter with a singe punch, and then they add on the takedown.

It also reminds me of the 7th of Tatsuo Suzuki’s Oyo-Gumite. These were a part of my karate education, but we don’t practise them anymore. They are pretty good fighting drills that don’t have many of the faults associated with the “x-step” type drills. The only reason we dropped them is the need to have time for other things. Elements of them still persist, however. The kick defence part is similar, but the takedown is different.

All the best,

Iain

PS Loved the outtakes!

shotokanman70
shotokanman70's picture

Yeas, that's a similar idea. This is one of the few drills I have that sort of resemble step sparring. I hear what youre saying about having time for other things. Les Bubka did something similar but his takedown was pretty slick. I think he put his leg under the kick which acted like a wedge. I think you've seen it.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Hi Andy,

shotokanman70 wrote:
I hear what you’re saying about having time for other things.

It’s a shame there are not more hours in the day. The ohyo-gumite are not bad fighting drills that include some solid concepts and takedowns. They don’t give us anything not covered by other drills through, so we decided to park them.

shotokanman70 wrote:
Les Bubka did something similar but his takedown was pretty slick. I think he put his leg under the kick which acted like a wedge. I think you've seen it.

Les is the master of that. I find what he does very impressive. First time I saw it, it took a few viewings to work out exactly why his partner was falling :-) Very slick and very fast. He teaches it really well too and people were able to replicate it relatively quickly.

All the best,

Iain