AOKK Kumite: Forty-five Degree Angle Shin Kick

All traditional karate kicks can be used during kumite. These are kicks that are not part of our traditional karate, but they’re also viable in a real confrontation. These kicks are part of the AOKK karateka’s training.

The forty-five-degree angle back leg shin-kick is delivered like the round-kick, except the striking area is the shin and not the top or ball of the foot. This kick is quick and does not have full hip rotation like a horizontal shin kick. This kick is aimed to the ribs of the opponent’s thigh. It starts out looking like a front kick with a slight turn of the hips at the end of the technique.  This kick is one of the few that are delivered above the obi/belt. The kick must be delivered quickly and returned even more quickly to prevent the leg being trapped. This kick can be thrown in multiples with the same leg.

The target area is again the ribs, but this kick can also be to the hip joint or the opponent’s thigh. To the uneducated this kick will look slopy and not purposeful, but in a conflict do you care what it looks like? We choose substance over flash.

This kick can also be thrown with the lead leg. When it is thrown with the lead leg, it is less effective. It can be used to distract an adversary so you can punch to the face by striking low. Striking the calf can take an opponent off their feet.

One way to stop this kick is with a knee block. Being that this kick is above the hipline, you can use a palm to block it.