Both are taught and used. Instep is for beginners and learned first, then you move on to the shin. I always assumed its to get it into the head of beginners to stretch out their instep properly and not let their foot flap around (focusing only on the shin), because if you do, you will hurt them if you hit with it.
It is really more of a matter of personal preference and which range you are at. And even then, if you hold the foot correctly, it does not matter if you misjudge the range and hit with the instep instead of the shin.
As a loose rule, after we get over the beginner training, we drill more shin to leg and body, and more instep to the head.
But really, noone cares which way you do it if you can do it effectively.
Thanks for claring it up. Does the kicking mechanics differ depending on if you use the instep or shin? I guess it does, right?
I assume we are only talking about round kicks now.Also, when performing kata, do you guys revert to the old school ball of the foot?
I assume we are only talking about round kicks now.
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Yes. I could never find a way to kick with the ball of the foot in free moving ITF Taekwondo sparring, and our instructor advices instep for sparring, ball of the foot for the street (probably more a one shot- deal).
If you cannot pull it off against a resisting opponent in sparring, you cannot pull it off against a resisting opponent in the street. Dont even try.
I Im not one of them, my toes are not flexible enough.
The difference is that in the street, if threatened and I stand in a static position, let's say perfectly positioned to the side, I can chamber and kick him and land it beautifully, and he probably won't know what I'm doing.
In free sparring we are both constantly moving, and there I find it terribly impractical because of the long range nature of TKD fighting.
but the problem is not stances or immobile opponents, it is the adrenaline rush that will leave you trembling and incapable of doing stuff you would not think twice about in the dojo or in the ring. adrenaline is stupid. when it kicks in for a real fight, it also robs you of fine motor skills.
Yeah, I know what you're saying but that all depends on if I get scared. I found depression eases the adrenalin, but the problem is I get almost too dull then.. The best is a mixture between pissed and depressed which I've been from time to time. But really deep down in depression, I don't trust myself at all.
Being scared or not have nothing to do with the effect of adrenaline.
definitely with the chinThere's been conflicting reports. Some claimed that they mainly kick with the instep... other the chin...