GAUGING FOOTWORK IN DEFENDING AGAINST KICKING ATTACKS IN KENPO
lst Degree Black Belt Thesis
By Mr. David Byrne – Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy.

DETOUR FROM DOOM Front - Right Roundhouse Kick

  1. While in a right neutral bow, quickly shift your left foot counter-clockwise (up the circle) toward 4:30 into a right 45 degree cat stance. Simultaneously deliver a left downward block to the inside of your opponent's right leg, as you thrust a right vertical punch to your opponent's face. (This should injure your opponent's right leg as well, as drive his face back.)
  2. From your right 45 degree cat stance, deliver a right front snapping ball kick to your opponent's groin. (Your opponent should bend forward at the waist.)
  3. 3.Plant your right foot toward 10:30 into a right neutral bow, immediately shifting into a right forward bow. With this shift, simultaneously execute a left vertical punch to your opponent's solar plexus, and a right horizontal forearm check to the top of your opponent's arms. (Your opponent should bend forward at the waist.)
  4. Deliver a right back knuckle strike to your opponent's stomach as your left foot begins to shift counter-clockwise toward 3 o'clock into a right neutral bow (facing 9 o'clock. (Your opponent bends further forward.)
  5. Have your left hand hook downward on the back and left side of your opponent's neck as you continue circling your right arm counter-clockwise, and deliver a right inward overhead hammer-fist to the back of your opponent's neck at the moment you settle into your stance. (Your opponent should drop to the ground.)
  6. Execute a right front crossover, and cover out twice toward 4:30.

Summary

I view this a lower kick, making it possible to block with your left arm rather than both. It may also be because you anticipate your opponents intent sooner, by striking his face you prevent the kick from gaining its maximum power, employing angle of deflection which beats his action by meeting it, using borrowed force from his rotation to increase the impact of your strike, it also causes an angle of disturbance. By moving up the circle you increase the reach of your punch. This punch provides an angle of entry for your right groin kick and continuing up the circle further checks height, width and depth, exposing vulnerable, vital targets, such as them mastoid.

INTRODUCTION | 1. DEFLECTING HAMMER | 2. THRUSTING SALUTE | 3. SWINGING PENDULUM | 4. DETOUR FROM DOOM | 5. HUGGING PENDULUM | 6. RETREATING PENDULUM | 7. DANCE OF DARKNESS | 8. UNWINDING PENDULUM | CONCLUSION | GLOSSARY OF TERMS