Defending the inside leg kick.

**Dargentus** · Posted On: 6/30/2010 8:15am

I'd like some of ye guys to weigh in on this; If it's already been mentioned in previous threads I do apologise my search-fu is weak compared to many here.

My question is how to best effectively defend against the inside leg kick?
(as in he kicks the inside of your front thigh with either his front leg or his back leg)

I personally dislike checking it with the front leg (moving it to the 2 o'clock position) because I feel a little off balance and feel susceptible to further attacks if the kick was part of a combination.

Evasion via footwork? (i.e.; either shuffling away or switching stance or a combination of both) works for me to a certain extent but only at a middle distance.

Preemptive counterattacking? Reading the kick coming and throwing either a cross or a push kick just before he kicks can put him off but I find that even done adequately the inside leg kick is a hard one to 'read' or 'pre-empt'.

A narrower stance can create a smaller target but then (and I realise that this is entirely my opinion) A narrow stance = straighter legs to a certain extent and that in turn leaves you vunerable to other things...

Is there another option that I'm missing? Or should I just drill the **** out of what I already know?

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 6/30/2010 8:28am

The only defense that works for me against someone who is good at them is to "ride" the kick and throw a cross to maintain space. I don't expect to KO anyone with the counter cross but I do want them to look up and get off the leg kick.

For people they aren't super fast inside leg kickers I prefer the quick shin block. It is technically a no-no because it can put your lead leg out of position but I can hurt the kicker with it a lot of the time so I still do it.

The "best" defense as I was taught is to fade the lead leg out of the way essentially a half shuffle that puts you back in range immediately. Then throw a back leg cut kick across the back of their legs. If you have a fast high kick this is a good time for a high kick to the blind side but most people will have their shoulder in the way.

**alex** · Posted On: 6/30/2010 8:32am

i have always found that slightly turning the leg to catch their kick with your upper shin works extremely well. people dont throw it after a couple of those and it is fast enough that i rarely dont get it out in time. i almost never get kicked to the inside of the leg.

im southpaw though, ymmv.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 6/30/2010 8:35am

Alex, does your coach scold you for that? I almost always get away with that block too but I've been told it is a bad habit.

**Dargentus** · Posted On: 6/30/2010 8:35am

Ya I really don't like the check you can end up getting your self into trouble with your lead leg offline.

I just find that fading the leg away from the kick tends to push you leg a bit high if he's really following through?

Mind you I've never tried it combined with a cross...

Or possibly a leg swap/shuffle combined with a cross?

Hmmm interesting.

Ta.

**Dargentus** · Posted On: 6/30/2010 8:38am

If he follows up the kick immediately with a good right cross It's easy for you to get caught with your leg up in the air.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 6/30/2010 8:41am

Try the shuffle combined with a cut kick if you make him miss he is in a great position to be kicked in the back of the legs. The key is to shuffle your front leg more than your back so that you can step and kick at the same time when you return to position.