Revealing Fake Martial Arts... Are head kicks a good idea during a self-defense situation

We see beautiful jumping, spinning, acrobatic kicks to people's heads on the silverscreen so much, that many walk out of the theater thinking they have actually mastered the ability to execute it in a real situation just from viewing it. I personally have kicked many people in head during security & self-defense situations but watch this video and you may be surprised about what I have to say regarding it's use during self-defense.

[mrb]

Front kicks to the face are very effective if used properly. It works like a jab and doesn't leave you too open.

[pickleballer]

One of the best Martial Arts/ Self defense videos I've seen. This guy's definitely got street cred. Nothing like demonstrating how good you are at something and then showing how that skill is not very effective.

[orpheusepiphanes]

Very good video. My personal answer to this question is that "If you have to ask, don't do it"

Exactly, and of course if you kick to the head it's entirely possible that, since it's slower too, they can dodge it and if you're too slow they can get you while your balance is off on one leg.

[ctr]

Just stumbled onto your videos after taking an interest in mma.
Good vids and explanations. deserve more views.

[phdcredible]

I concurr on your viewpoint. In a true " self defense" situation, we need to avoid/ stop the attack and leave the area a.s a.p. Hollywood high kicks are impracticle and even dangerous, due to there being too many variables that can monkeywrench that technique. Low is better, faster, more powerful and destructive. Osu.

[wilhard]

Ed Parker, student of Prof. Wm. K.S. Chow in Hawaii, taught that concept in his first school back in the early 1950's. Mr. Parker taught primarily self-defense techniques and they emphasized lower kicks. Going up high is great in the ring when you have a referee to step in and bail you out if you miss and end up on the mat. Fighting outside the dojo is less forgiving. Am really appreciating your savvy with each video I watch.

[KillerBill]

Good to see someone actually talking sense about high kicks outside the dojo. You may get away with it if you're very good, when you're young, but I teach my students that the best time to kick someone in the head is when you've put them on the ground. Having said that, it's also fundamental to what I teach, that they avoid fighting if at all possible.

[broulys]

the biggest danger is not that ur hamstring muscle can get pulled but that high kicks can be easily caught and getting thrown off balance is very easy. i've not been in any real fights but this is what we learn in our traditional karate dojos.

[jj]

Hey Jermaine, love all your videos. Always real, practical and no nonsense. Thanks for all the effort. Respect.

[christopherduffy]

Yea! Good info here brotha. I would like to add that even low kicks can sometimes be risky for the simple fact that when you release that kick you're standing in one foot. For that split second you're vulnerable to an aggressive attack.

[beepot]

My favorite fight finisher I have ever seen was done by my buddy Joel. This cocky drunk guy charged Joel after some drunken banter and as he was charging in looking like he was going to try and tackle him, Joel just kicked this guy left knee right below the joint and crumpled him. So simple I couldn't believe it worked.

[wadeeubanks]

Just found your channel and subscribed, great video about self defense. Studied several arts for many years but old man now but could defend myself if I had to. I would never kick someone in the head when I could break a shin or a knee, just common sense. Keep up the good advice.

[honigdachs.]

Recently I did some fooling around with someone in a living room just for fun. I attempted to land a question mark kick on his neck because I do that in sparring all the time. But I got sat on my ass like an idiot by some stupid rug I stepped on. That reminded me that I'd rather not risk falling like that should I ever get in some kind of situation, and stick to more basic stuff instead. The world out there isn't matted, you don't know what you're stepping on, what your surroundings are etc. Also, you won't have the space for high kicking anyway in a real fight.

[philyip]

You are very good and make a lot of sense, thank you for a great video !

[coldwelthsimms]

I love how he answers people's questions!!!

[minnesotakungfucom]

yup agree with everything you said and would add when kicking high like that it leaves your support leg and groin wide open for a counter kick person can just lean back and raise their leg into groin also even untrained fighters can sometimes catch a kick thrown at their head because its a natural reflex. plus if wearing jeans or tight pants you probably wont be able to kick that high anyways or if you can it will be painful

[warmist]

great info....no joke the most devastating fight ending kick ive seen in the street is the kickboxing type when they dig the shin bone into the muscle just above the knee....cry uncle painful!

[LokiK]

what are some good foot work drills for big and tall guys?

[Jacknife-iook]

If your pants or shorts don't fit properly the you'll fall on your butt