| Many Wing Chun practitioners tend to dismiss high | | | | Over time, high kicks become easier and easier to |
| kicks as being "useless." High kicks are not | | | | execute. |
| characteristic of the art. Wing Chun tends to focus | | | | High kicks also are great for developing leg flexibility |
| more on hand movements. Lower body strikes in | | | | and stretching out the muscles. I also know that if a |
| Wing Chun include low kicks, kicks to the midsection, | | | | student can train himself to throw a decent high kick, |
| leg sweeps and stomps. | | | | then the low kicks, which are more effective for street |
| Bruce Lee, who was originally a Wing Chun | | | | fighting, will be effortless and powerful. |
| practitioner, did not hold the same attitude regarding | | | | Knowing how to execute a powerful high kick could |
| high kicks as his Wing Chun colleagues. The high kicks | | | | also put you at an advantage if you want to venture |
| you see him execute in the movies are obviously not | | | | into the world of kickboxing or UFC fighting. If a martial |
| from Wing Chun. He saw the usefulness of adding | | | | artist is flexible enough, a high kick from close range |
| Korean style kicking to his martial art repertoire. | | | | can be a surprise attack in a kickboxing match. In 2007, |
| Unfortunately, some martial artists are locked into their | | | | UFC fighter Gabriel Gonzaga knocked out Mikro Cro |
| own styles and traditions and can't see the benefits of | | | | Cop with a high kick to the head in their bout in |
| supplementing their training in areas where their chosen | | | | Manchester, England . I don't think either one of these |
| art may be weak. There is nothing wrong with | | | | fighters would label the high kick as "useless." |
| honoring your martial art roots, but after a while, if you | | | | In reverse, I would have said the same thing about |
| want to become a well-rounded martial artist, you | | | | developing good hand movements if you studied a |
| have to expand your horizons. | | | | martial art that focused more on kicking. Many martial |
| While high kicks are not recommended for | | | | artists who want to become well-rounded fighters, but |
| self-defense, they serve several very good purposes | | | | trained in a "kicking" oriented style take up boxing. |
| in martial arts training and in competitive kickboxing. | | | | Supplement your martial arts training in the areas |
| High kicks help develop balance. There is nothing more | | | | where your style lacks focus or where you may have |
| pathetic than a martial artist whose kick is wobbly and | | | | a personal weakness that you want to improve upon. |
| lacks focus. Aiming your kicks higher pushes you to | | | | Don't be afraid to round out your training! |
| find your balance point as you reposition your body. | | | | |