dvcochran
Grandmaster
Agree. I am going to circle back around to crescents somewhere in the discussion.Don't forget inside or outside crescents, and even the axe kick.
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Agree. I am going to circle back around to crescents somewhere in the discussion.Don't forget inside or outside crescents, and even the axe kick.
I suspected it was something similar to your description. I would have to see it but it sounds like a common variation of a middle roundhouse kick.The rib kick is a 45-degree kick with the ball of the foot to sneak around a guard to find a rib. We sparred too little for anyone to get good at it, at all. I spar more now (and my students even more so), and find myself using something similar at times. I'm debating whether to teach it as a separate kick, though, or just let it develop as a variation of a front kick (which is how I see it).
Haha. Did not even think about that when I wrote it.Pun intended?
Haha. Did not even think about that when I wrote it.
So, why do you (and @gpseymour ) feel crescents are low value kicks?
It would be great to hear your separate opinions of both inside and outside crescents.
We never trained outside crescent (inside-to-out), and never trained on actually using the crescent kick we did train, nor really even discussed its use. Literally, the only time people even practiced it was in prep for testing.Haha. Did not even think about that when I wrote it.
So, why do you (and @gpseymour ) feel crescents are low value kicks?
It would be great to hear your separate opinions of both inside and outside crescents.
This is what I was getting at. I honestly don't know if they're useful or not - that's how ill prepared they were.I just think that your average aikido practitioner isn't going to be very good at doing crescent kicks. (No offense, @gpseymour )
That is in the "why do it at all" category. And a good example of where techniques get a bad rap because they are misunderstood.We never trained outside crescent (inside-to-out), and never trained on actually using the crescent kick we did train, nor really even discussed its use. Literally, the only time people even practiced it was in prep for testing.
I know I'm neither of the people you asked, but I'm going to butt in anyway with my opinion. The times I've seen crescent kicks be effective, is when people are in close range. To me, the advantage of kicks is specifically the range (keep in mind kicking isn't my specialty), so I'm not going to use a kick that loses that advantage. Plus that requires you to plant in close range. Not for a long time but for enough to be exposed to grapplers.Haha. Did not even think about that when I wrote it.
So, why do you (and @gpseymour ) feel crescents are low value kicks?
It would be great to hear your separate opinions of both inside and outside crescents.
That is in the "why do it at all" category. And a good example of where techniques get a bad rap because they are misunderstood.
I know I'm neither of the people you asked, but I'm going to butt in anyway with my opinion. The times I've seen crescent kicks be effective, is when people are in close range. To me, the advantage of kicks is specifically the range (keep in mind kicking isn't my specialty), so I'm not going to use a kick that loses that advantage. Plus that requires you to plant in close range. Not for a long time but for enough to be exposed to grapplers.
Agree.However, all kinds of head kicks are used in UFC. Roundhouse, axe kick, back kick, spinning hook kick, I've seen them all. The crescent kick is just another one. I just think you're more likely to see it used in TKD than UFC, both because they're better at kicking, but also because you can't do as much against a kick.
Yup, any time a leg/foot is coming at a high speed to my head, that's gonna hurt. And if you train it enough (or the other person isn't expecting it), it can definitely work in MMA. I just don't find the risk worth it, when I can also do damage to the head with my fists, without taking in those risks.However, all kinds of head kicks are used in UFC. Roundhouse, axe kick, back kick, spinning hook kick, I've seen them all. The crescent kick is just another one. I just think you're more likely to see it used in TKD than UFC, both because they're better at kicking, but also because you can't do as much against a kick.
Yeah, that opening question was my question. I didn't have a good answer, so I dropped it. If I learned to use it well at all, I'd consider putting it back in.That is in the "why do it at all" category. And a good example of where techniques get a bad rap because they are misunderstood.
It is an excellent primary or setup kick. One of the easier to teach kicks because you stand straight like a front kick. There are mechanical differences in how the power is generated however.
I never understood people who think it is a poor disarming tool. Of course, I am a kicker by experience.
I can understand that viewpoint.I know I'm neither of the people you asked, but I'm going to butt in anyway with my opinion. The times I've seen crescent kicks be effective, is when people are in close range. To me, the advantage of kicks is specifically the range (keep in mind kicking isn't my specialty), so I'm not going to use a kick that loses that advantage. Plus that requires you to plant in close range. Not for a long time but for enough to be exposed to grapplers.
re: crescent kicks
I put them in a separate category than roundhouse, front, back or side kicks in that, to me, they are not major strike techniques like those others, capable of putting an opponent down. It's more of a slap, not hitting with a hard heel or foot blade or ball of the foot. Because of the large sweeping movement and the position of the foot/leg, it is difficult to land it to the body or head. It might be for these reasons it's not common in MMA.
For me, the inside crescent is more useful and more powerful. I think it's best suited as a slap to an extended arm, requiring a follow-up technique, like a side kick with the same leg or continuing around with a spinning back kick.
EDIT EDIT EDIT:The Outside crescent is Very effective from outside.