Are they underutilized? I have seen a handful attempted and they seem to either hurt their opponent or leave the kicker in a defensible position. Opinions? Flames?

Are you calling GSP a blind squirrel?

i don't know, but he sure found matt's nuts.

At least from my watching of the UFC, they are a pretty well accepted technique for good kickers to use. They have been used effectively (and that includes kicks that were slipped or defended but still didn't leave the kicker overly vulnerable) quite a bit by a variety of fighters. They seem to be staples for fighters like GSP, Bonner and The Crow (yeah, I admit I can't ever spell that guy's name). And sometimes they are highlight reel worthy fight finishers. Even I have used that kick effectively in contact sparring.

It's a decent technique. But you do have to be a good kicker, and know when and how to use it.

Did I SAY THAT GSP WAS A BLIND SQUIRREL?

You implied that the spin back kick only works with the percentage of the old "blind squirrel" adage. GSP has used the kick effectively on more than one occasion. It is relevant to bring him up in showing that the kick is not as low percentage as you make it seem.

Easy there Gabster. I was just trying to point out, in a lighthearted manner, that you seemed to be dismissing all fighters who used this technique successfully as lucky. I am sure you are aware that GSP is not literally a blind rodent.
Matt: I know there are a handful who do. It just seems like there are many people professionals who consider themselves strikers who have never. For instance, if I found out I was going to face Tim Sylvia, after dictating my will, I would practice the back kick, because it seems like a natural fit when facing a large, immobile object with about 8 feet of torso.

i don't know, but he sure found matt's nuts.

Zing!

Are you calling GSP a blind squirrel?

Zing!!!


**** somebody beat me too it.

Spinning backkicks need to be used consevatively. Go to the well one too many times and you'll get slammed anc choked.

I'll definately agree that it's not the highest percentage technique, especially against an agile opponent. My contention is that when it scores, it hurts, and when it doesn't, the kicker isn't left in a bad position. As such, it seems like it could be used several times a fight. If it's used too much, of course, the other person could get the timing down and take your back, but when done well it's a very quick kick, so this seems hard.

Here's one for your viewing pleasure,Gab.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTI15IL49lY

The spinning back kick is a very low percentage technique. The percentage is somewhat increased when a skilled standup fighter faces a fighter who isn't as experienced in anything beyond basic kickboxing. If you have two very good stand up fighters, there is a very very small percentage that 1. the technique will even be thrown and 2. once thrown the technique will land.
.Why would you believe that?What made you assume that one fighter has to have less experience to be caught with one of these kicks?

I'm not trying to be a dick but how often do you train back-kicks in your gym?

Don't forget David Louisou VS Charles McCarthey.

Why would you believe that?What made you assume that one fighter has to have less experience to be caught with one of these kicks?

I'm not trying to be a dick but how often do you train back-kicks in your gym?

Well I'll have to agree with the Gabster on this one. It is a low percentage kick but when it lands it's sweet.

I'm not gonna argue about it being a low percentage.But how often you train it will depend how capable you are to land it in X times of fighting or even sparring.

Don't forget David Louisou VS Charles McCarthey.
Thats the fight I was trying to remember. That's the one where McCarthey gets caught, tries to put a brave face on it, and then shrivels up, right?

Here's one for your viewing pleasure,Gab.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTI15IL49lY


OH SWEET LORD THAT WOMAN YELLING IS ANNOYING.

I literally was yelling at my monitor for her to shut the hell up.

Strident Person: "COME ON JOOOOOOOOOOHN!" (John gets rocked and clinches to catch his breath)

Strident Person: "PUSH 'IM OFFFFFF! COME ON JOOOOOOOOOOOOOHN!"

*shudder*

Anyway, yeah, from my experience SBK's are low-percentage but useful moves that need to be used only in certain scenarios and shouldn't be overused (similar to uppercuts, perhaps). You need to be a good kicker and you need to have an opening but it's definitely WAY more viable than flying sidekicks, axe kicks, etc.