AOKK Kumite: Horizontal 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 horizontal back leg shin-kick is delivered like the round-kick. The striking area is the shin or the top of the foot. This kick is strong and has full hip rotation. This kick is aimed to the ribs, hip joint, or head. 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 is intended to damage.

The target area is again the ribs, but this kick can also be to the hip joint or the opponent’s head. You must have great balance to deliver this kick effectively. Since it is above the obi/belt it can be slow to develop. The longer it takes to develop a kick the more time an opponent has to trap the leg.

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 execute a counterattack.  This kick can be thrown low and then high.

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 or a forearm.