Defense against High Round Kick (Fighting Stance—Three Contact Points)

A kick defense can be made with three contact points by eliminating the shoulder rotation. Three contact points disperse the force over more area and can provide a more comfortable defense if the attacker is much bigger than you.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance, facing your attacker.

As the attacker begins kicking with his right leg, tuck your chin and raise your left hand parallel with your shoulder. At the same time, bring your right hand across to defend with your palm; this hand should line up with your shoulder and left hand.

Follow up with counters (e.g., a hammerfist with the closest hand, followed by a straight punch, or a straight punch with the rear hand).

Tips: When making this defense, you MUST tuck your chin and try to cover your head. Although this kick disperses more force, it allows the kick to come much closer to your head and you may be open to kicks with the toe (booted feet) or the ball of the foot.

Defense against High Round Kick (Covering Defense to Head or Ribs)

Sometimes the defender does not recognize the kick in time to make a two-handed defense. In this case, the only choice is to make a covering defense. This defense is essentially the same as a hook punch defense (page 112) but with a closed fist, combined with a body defense if time allows.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance, facing your attacker.

As the attacker begins kicking with his right leg, make a tight 360°-type defense with your left hand. Your defense should be made with a tight fist, and your forearm should be angled slightly inward so that rising kicks may slide up the arm, reducing the impact against the forearm. At the same time, step diagonally forward, away from the power of the kick.

Counterattack with a front or round kick with the rear leg.

Tips: DO NOT “reach out” to defend the kick far from your body. Your arm won’t be

strong at this distance and can be seriously injured by a strong kick.

Depending on how early the defender recognizes the attack, the step may not be possible. However, even if you lean or step on contact, you should move your body to get out of the kick’s power zone.

Fal s and Rol s

Back Fall Break (High)

The principles of regular fall break (page 140) apply to high fall break as well, both for back falls and side falls. The only difference is in the angle your arms take as you strike the ground. With regular fall break, the angle of the slap is approximately 45° away from the body. As the angle of the fall increases (i.e., as your feet go higher into the air and your head travels more directly toward the ground), the angle of your slap should increase. During a drastic fall break, your hands go out as wide as your shoulders.

Starting Position: From standing, tuck your chin to protect your neck. This protects your head and neck (and avoids the risk of biting your tongue).

To imitate high fall breaks, you must throw your feet into the air so that your feet are higher than your head during the fall break.

As you reach the ground, strike it hard with your palms at about a 90° angle. Do not lead with your elbows; if they strike the ground, you may seriously damage them.

Immediately recoil your hands into a fighting position.