Why no sidekicks in mma

[nefti]

Filho threw a number of side kicks during the 100 man kumite I don't why he doesn't use it in his K-1 fights maybe because it's more of a sprint

or maybe when you are fighting an open rules stand up contest against people who are at least as talented as you are they are not as effective.

 

[robin101]

Well nefti all i can say is, that a side kick is a strike like any other, and more than that a kick like any other. If you do it well, fast and accuratly, it can work, if not then you will get caught and destroyed. Its the same with any kick or even punch.

 

[nefti]

no that's a copout answer. Not all strikes have equal risk/reward ratio. To say "oh at the right time at the right place in the right situation" is such a amateurish copout answer.

 

[robin101]

Nefti was not saying "right time, place etc" was saying that if it is done right. Also there is no need to be insulting, just express your opinion.

 

[nefti]

it's the same shit bro, just a different toilet. "if done properly" is one of the most overused phrases on the stand up forum. Along with "they don't know how" "they aren't trained in it " (dismissive), "At the right time" "if done properly"... dear god.

 

[Daido_Juku]

for me its basically there is no Sanda/Sanshou that competes in MMA (especially in US) thats why majority of you think sidekicks are useless in MMA.

 

[PsYc0tIkDrEaM]

Jose Canseco tried to do it on Hong Man Choi. But he did it wrong and ineffectively lol. Anderson Silva teaches it in his Book but i never seen him do it.

 

[lord_kader]

Jose Canseco tried to do it on Hong Man Choi. But he did it wrong and ineffectively lol. Anderson Silva teaches it in his Book but i never seen him do it.

he uses it just the does it the less risky way and for a different purpose than a side kick to the body or head. against leites he used it to the knee to take out his legs and stop him from being able to even attempt take downs and it worked wonders. there. that is a perfect example of a side kick used properly in MMA. now i would have loved to see him throw a couple side kicks to the knee and then throw a half side kick to the knee and then bring it up to a head kick, but hey, thats just me =P

 

[ssullivan80]

Jose Canseco tried to do it on Hong Man Choi. But he did it wrong and ineffectively lol. Anderson Silva teaches it in his Book but i never seen him do it.

No need to comment on Jose Canseco :icon_neut

However, Silva uses that side kick to the leg a whole lot, against Leites, Cote, Maia...... etc....

 

[Seibukan]

It's tough to use because a lot of these guys have a good core. If a guy goes for a takedown right as he sees the sidekick coming, you're screwed.

 

[lord_kader]

It's tough to use because a lot of these guys have a good core. If a guy goes for a takedown right as he sees the sidekick coming, you're screwed.

eh... i gotta say i disagree. a round house kick is MUCH easier to catch than a side kick and if somebody tries to run right through a side kick they are going to get HURT. that being said, if they side step your side kick you are pretty screwed on the take down lol

 

[ssullivan80]

It's tough to use because a lot of these guys have a good core. If a guy goes for a takedown right as he sees the sidekick coming, you're screwed.

eh... i gotta say i disagree. a round house kick is MUCH easier to catch than a side kick and if somebody tries to run right through a side kick they are going to get HURT. that being said, if they side step your side kick you are pretty screwed on the take down lol

I agree/disagree with both of ya. If a guy sees a sidekick coming and fires in before the kick has time to gain momentum (pressing out), basically crowding the kick and smothering it before it is fired off, that will lead to a pretty easy takedown....... The sidekick doesn't allow you the advantage of getting your arms out in front of you mid kick like a roundhouse does. Which gives you a chance at grabbing underhooks, or cattle catching your opponent and sprawling for the TD defense. The narrow profile and upper body positioning on a sidekick makes it very susceptible to getting smothered and a quick take-down. My personal opinion is that sidekicks are best suited to MMA as leg kicks, stomping the heel across the front of the thigh.

That said, i do agree that a roundhouse is easier to catch, but if you were going for a takedown attempt off a side kick you probably wouldn't catch it, you would just smother and drive through it, flinging the guy on his arse! And if you throw a sidekick that is telegraphed enough to get side stepped or parried out of the way, it is an easy way to get taken down with your opponent on your back.

 

[chewabacca]

I think they should be used rarely and only by someone who's very good at them.

Someone I used to train with who was a TKD black belt (and oddly enough a BJJ specialist) used to catch me with them in sparring. He threw them rarely but because they're not used by anyone and so seldom thrown that he always caught me with them.

 

[lord_kader]

I agree/disagree with both of ya. If a guy sees a sidekick coming and fires in before the kick has time to gain momentum (pressing out), basically crowding the kick and smothering it before it is fired off, that will lead to a pretty easy takedown....... The sidekick doesn't allow you the advantage of getting your arms out in front of you mid kick like a roundhouse does. Which gives you a chance at grabbing underhooks, or cattle catching your opponent and sprawling for the TD defense. The narrow profile and upper body positioning on a sidekick makes it very susceptible to getting smothered and a quick take-down. My personal opinion is that sidekicks are best suited to MMA as leg kicks, stomping the heel across the front of the thigh.

That said, i do agree that a roundhouse is easier to catch, but if you were going for a takedown attempt off a side kick you probably wouldn't catch it, you would just smother and drive through it, flinging the guy on his arse! And if you throw a sidekick that is telegraphed enough to get side stepped or parried out of the way, it is an easy way to get taken down with your opponent on your back.

gotta say i agree with mostly everything you just said. yes, a lot of people do have trouble with distance control on a side kick to the body b/c if you cant snap it right at the end of your range it is really more of a push kick than an impact. however, when i see somebody moving in i either:

- get my range down to use the kick effectively while he is coming in (which is where a side kick can be REALLY strong as a counter and not an offensive attack, although i have to say i like my spinning back kick for this better) and land it,

- throw one to the knee which is my personal favorite side kick and almost ALWAYS stops their forward momentum,

-or i will fake low and then when they try to grab it i will switch it to a head side kick which really works wonders when they see you throw a few low side kicks and they try to think of a way to stop it (usually by trying to catch it)

 

[chino0503]

high risk, low reward.

at best its a push kick.... not saying u cant knock someone out with a side kick to the face... but its unlikely.

if someone knows what they're doing and counter it, its leaves you too wide open. you're turning sideways and could possibly expose your back. big no no.

 

[chino0503]

side kick to the knee will get your fucked up in my gym. no need to try and break your partners leg.

 

[chicagocombat]

You see this kick sometimes. GSP comes to mind when he sets up the side kick.

 

[barnowl]

high risk, low reward.

at best its a push kick.... not saying u cant knock someone out with a side kick to the face... but its unlikely.

if someone knows what they're doing and counter it, its leaves you too wide open. you're turning sideways and could possibly expose your back. big no no.

At best it is a rib breaker that drops someone on there arse. If the best you can get from it is a push then you are doing something wrong. Side kick to liver is also a nice way to drop someone.

 

[Gregolian]

Didn't Uno used to use them A LOT in his early career when you could get away with it?

 

[LEGS MAHONEY]

At best it is a rib breaker that drops someone on there arse. If the best you can get from it is a push then you are doing something wrong. Side kick to liver is also a nice way to drop someone.

LOL thanks for setting him strait. Seriously guys if you don't know what the hell you're talking about just be quiet.:icon_lol:

I remember when i was at t'sko i booted one of their heavy bags completely off its holding with a side kick and duane ludwig came over and gave it a ten count lol

You dont get that effect from pushing the bag, you get it from quickly thrusting the leg out hard.


The lead leg kick must be fast as well, Choi stated he wanted it to be as fast as a boxer's jab.