MMA Striking Tutorial: 3 Types of Low Kicks & When to Use Them

A low kick (also known as a leg kick) is a kick in which the attacker uses his or her leg to strike the opponent's lower body (thigh or calf) with the shinbone or foot. This type of kick, under different names, is utilized in numerous full-contactmartial arts such as MMA, karate, taekwondo, kickboxing, lethwei, Muay Thai, and Krav Maga.

Low kicks are utilized to damage the opponents legs, which causes the loss of dexterity, stability, and mobility. Being struck repeatedly by low kicks can often result in damage to bones, joints, ligaments and muscle tissue. The sciatic nerve, which is the longest and widest nerve in the human body, beginning in the lower back and running through the buttocks all the way to the lower limb, is a frequent target for low kicks.

Engage Athlete and UFC fighter Brad Riddell covers 3 types of low kicks: Dutch style, Thai Style, and a defensive low kick. He goes over the differences between them, when to use them, how to practice them by yourself, and some examples from Ernesto Hoost, Nieky Holzken & Liam Harrison. Try to use all three kicks next time you spar.

Check out his video below which goes over the differences between them, when to use them, how to practice them by yourself.

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