Why didn’t we ever see a calf kick in K-1?

[AndyMaBobs]

More than anything, the reason you don't see calf kicks in kickboxing is because kickboxers aren't trained to do it. MMA is very much an experimental playground, kickboxing doesn't tend to be as much. I don't think anyone in this thread from a kickboxing or muay thai background has ever been taught a calf kick - and I doubt most pro's have either. That's why you don't see it.

It's probably harder to do from a kickboxing range, sure, and kickboxers are definitely going to be more likely to check - but I don't think that's why you don't see it. It's more co-incidence that it probably wouldn't be as effective.

 

[Tayski]

Here's why you don't calf kick in kickboxing (from last night):


As previously said it's much easier to block calf kicks than thigh kicks and therefore it's a high risk low reward technique.

 

[Aerosol]

Because calf kicks only work if motherfokers don’t block/check/lift the leg