terryl965 said:
In a real life or death stituation is the front snap kick the best defense of all the TKD kicks...?
In answer to this question, the best kick is whatever kick works best in the particular circumstances, and what kick the defender is best trained in. Any person can work any kick to death, and make it their best kick, and will probably be able to use that kick effectively in most situations.
The effectiveness depends a great deal on the body position of the attacker, and how they respond to your kick. If you don't telegraph, and can hit an open target quickly, accurately, and with sufficient power, you will succeed.
terryl965 said:
...is it (the front kick) faster and can it be delivered with more power than a roundhouse?
As to the comparrison of each kick, the
Side Kick, without a doubt, has the most advantages in real life self defense. I am quite familiar with all of the kicks listed above (and then some), and have used several in real life self defense.
The
front kick is fast, simple, flows naturally, and can generate sufficient power. It strikes the front of the target thus can keep an attacker from charging. It can be easily used from front or back leg with similar results. It is
vulnerable in that the kicker generally has their chest facing the target which can result in a counter attack to midsection or face (yes, you can prevent that). There is also a certain degree of vulnerability to trapping the front and roundhouse kick that does not exist with the side kick.
The roundhouse kick is typically about the same power as the front kick (see how many boards you can break with each). The roundhouse has the advantage of going around defenses, and is better at attacking the side of the knee (a front kick can easily slip off the knee and miss). The roundhouse has the advantage of leaning the head and body more back to avoid a counter strike. The roundhouse can also be switched quickly from a right leg to left leg which changes the side of the body you are striking. A front kick changed would strike the same target, ruling out high/low target choices (unless you change the intitial front kick to a roundhouse or other kick).
On the negative side, the roundhouse must reach further into the target to strike the side of it, thus you must be slightly closer upon impact. A back leg roundhouse is more powerful than a front leg, but it makes the kicker vulnerable by turning your body across the line of attack as you kick. The roundhouse does not stop an attacker from rushing (unless you drop them on the first kick), and it does not drive an attacker away from you. Placing your safety on being successful with the first kick dropping your opponent is not a good strategy.
The side kick (if done correctly) uses the most muscles, the strongest muscles, with the most reinforcement of the bone structure as well as physical support from the ground for maximum reaction force. It is the most powerful (I know how many boards I can break with this kick). It can be done quickly, without the wide range telegraphed movements, and it can strike any level, although knee to ribs or solar plexus is sufficient. Using the front leg keeps the body sideways before, during and after the kick, and allows you to lean your upper body away to avoid counter attacks.
Maximum power comes from a skipping or a turning side kick. The skipping kick keeps you sideways and protected while covering distance. The quick, shortcut version of a turning (or back spin) side kick only exposes the back for a brief second, and the kick is too quick, and prevents an attack if properly chambered under the hips. You can dislocate the knee, break ribs, strike the abdomen or solar plexus, and drop an opponent with ease.
I can list a multitude of advanced, or more complex kicks that one can perfect over time, and make them virtually unstopable, however, each are more difficult to learn, perfect, and use in the street. They require precision that can be thrown off by a slight movement of the opponent, and leaves you more vulnerable than the basic kicks. They typically expose the front or back of your body more than necessary, and leaves you in a compromised position if they miss. Hook kicks, crescent kicks, and twist kicks provide a level of deception that keeps most people from seeing them coming, or reacting properly to defend against them.
No one kick is going to be the "only" kick you need in every situation, and a combination of two or three would be more ideal. All kicks are have vulnerabilities, and you can find faults with each, however the
side kick is the safest, with the most power, and only slightly more complex than the front or roundhouse. It is best to learn these three well, and use them as needed.
CM D. J. Eisenhart
