Intermediate
Unit 4: Mid-Kick Defense
1 for 1 Kicks
Check Counters
Advanced Mid Kick Defense
Turning the Check into a Weapon
From Shield to Sword
At the fundamental level, the check is a shield used to block a kick. At an advanced level, the check becomes the trigger for devastating counter-attacks. It's no longer a passive defense, but an active, offensive maneuver designed to hurt your opponent and create immediate openings. These challenging drills focus on the speed, timing, and footwork needed to seamlessly transition from a successful check into a fight-ending combination.
Challenging Check & Counter Drills
Drill 1: Check, Plant & Triple Attack
Goal: To develop a rapid-fire hand-to-leg combination immediately after the check.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. You check with your lead leg. The instant your foot plants back on the ground, explode with a **Rear Cross**, a **Lead Hook**, and finish with a hard **Rear Low Kick** to their supporting leg.
Drill 2: The Delayed Kick Counter
Goal: To use a slight pause to bait a reaction and land a powerful kick.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. Check it, but hold your leg up for a split second longer than usual. As your partner anticipates a punch, plant your foot down and immediately fire your own powerful **Rear Mid Kick** into their now exposed body.
Drill 3: Check, Angle & Overhand
Goal: To use the check to create a dominant angle for a power punch.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. Check it with your lead leg. Instead of planting your foot straight down, plant it at a **45-degree angle to your lead side**. This angle takes you off the centerline and lines up a perfect shot for a devastating **Rear Overhand** punch.
Drill 4: The Check & Switch Counter
Goal: To blend a check with a stance switch for a surprising and powerful counter.
Drill: Partner throws a **lead mid kick**. You check with your rear leg. As you place your foot back down, perform an immediate **Switch Step**. From your new southpaw stance, fire a hard **Rear (Left) Mid Kick** to their body, followed by a **Rear (Left) Cross**.
Keys to an Elite Check & Counter Game
- Immediate Retaliation: There can be no pause between your check and your counter. The moment your foot touches the ground, your counter should already be on its way.
- Painful Checks: A good check hurts. Turn your knee slightly outwards and aim to connect with the hard, bony part of your shin to discourage them from kicking again.
- Balanced Landing: Place your foot back down quickly but under control. A sloppy landing will negate your ability to throw a powerful counter.
- Read the Hips: Don't watch their feet. Watch their hips. The hips initiate the kick and will give you the early warning you need to lift your check in time.
Evade Counters
Advanced Mid Kick Evade Counters
Making Them Miss, Making Them Pay
The Ghost in the Ring
While checking is a vital skill, the ability to evade a powerful mid kick entirely is the mark of an advanced fighter. Evading not only saves you from damage but also creates significant openings by forcing your opponent to over-commit and fall out of position. These drills focus on using footwork and timing to make the kick miss by inches, allowing for immediate and devastating counter-attacks.
Challenging Evade & Counter Drills
Drill 1: The Fade & Rip
Goal: To pull just out of range and spring back with a powerful hand combination.
Drill: As your partner throws a **rear mid kick**, perform a sharp "fade" by pulling your hips back. As the kick falls short, explode forward with a **Rear Cross - Lead Hook - Rear Cross** combination to the head.
Drill 2: The Retreating Angle & Low Kick
Goal: To escape the line of attack and punish their supporting leg.
Drill: As your partner throws a **rear mid kick**, take a 45-degree step back and away with your rear foot. This takes you completely off the centerline. As they are retracting their kicking leg, fire a hard **Rear Low Kick** into their supporting (lead) leg.
Drill 3: The Inside Pivot & Body Kick
Goal: A riskier, high-reward counter that places you in a dominant position.
Drill: As your partner throws a **rear mid kick**, take a sharp 45-degree step *inward* with your lead foot, pivoting on it to face them. The kick should pass harmlessly behind you. From this new, dominant angle, fire your own **Rear Mid Kick** into their now exposed back or ribs.
Drill 4: The Step-Through Spin
Goal: The ultimate evasion, using their momentum to power your counter.
Drill: As your partner throws a **rear mid kick**, "step through" by bringing your rear foot forward and past your lead foot, switching your stance as the kick passes behind you. Use the momentum of your step and their kick to immediately launch a **Spinning Back Fist** or **Spinning Elbow**.
Keys to an Elite Evasion Game
- Timing Over Speed: Evasion is about timing, not pure speed. You must react as the kick is launched, not before or after.
- Read the Hips: The earliest sign of a kick comes from the opponent's hips. Learn to read this signal to give yourself the maximum amount of time to react.
- Minimal Movement: Just like a pull or slip, your evasion should be efficient. Move just enough to make the kick miss. Over-moving takes you out of range to counter effectively.
- Explode into the Counter: The moment the kick passes, the window for a counter opens. You must spring into your attack immediately to capitalize on their vulnerability.
Dutch Block Counters
Advanced Dutch Block Counters
Turning a Wall into a Weapon
The Counter-Offensive Shield
The Dutch Block is more than just a way to absorb a kick; at an advanced level, it's a platform for launching immediate and devastating counters. By creating a solid wall with your arm and shin, you not only protect yourself but also disrupt your opponent's balance and rhythm. These drills focus on using the moment of impact as a trigger, exploding from a defensive position into a fight-ending offensive sequence.
Challenging Dutch Block & Counter Drills
Drill 1: The High-Volume Return
Goal: To overwhelm the opponent with a multi-punch combination immediately after the block.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. You absorb it with a solid **Dutch Block**. The instant their kick rebounds, fire a **Rear Cross**, a **Lead Hook to the body**, a **Lead Hook to the head**, and finish with a **Rear Low Kick**.
Drill 2: The Smother & Clinch Entry
Goal: To use the block to close distance and enter a dominant clinch position.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. As you perform the **Dutch Block**, take a small, aggressive step forward *into* the kick, smothering it. From this close range, immediately swim your lead hand for a **Single Collar Tie** and fire two hard **Rear Knees** to the body.
Drill 3: The Block, Angle & Overhand
Goal: To use the block to create a dominant angle for a power shot.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. As you **Dutch Block**, take a sharp 45-degree step *outward* with your lead foot. This creates a new angle. From this position, throw a powerful **Rear Overhand** or a cutting **Rear Elbow** over their extended shoulder.
Drill 4: The Block, Fake & Switch Kick
Goal: To use the block to set up a deceptive, powerful kicking counter.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. You **Dutch Block** it. Immediately throw a hard **Rear Cross** to make them raise their guard. As they brace for more punches, throw a fast and powerful **Switch Kick** to their now exposed body on the other side.
Keys to an Elite Dutch Block
- Meet the Kick: Don't just passively absorb the blow. Actively meet the kick with your block to disrupt your opponent's balance and create a better rebound for your counter.
- Counter on the Rebound: Your counter-attack should launch the very instant their foot bounces off your block. Any hesitation gives them time to recover.
- Stay Tight and Compact: Keep your non-blocking hand glued to your chin. There should be no gaps in your defensive "wall."
- Condition Your Arms: A Dutch block is a powerful tool, but it requires strong, conditioned arms to be used repeatedly without injury.
Catch Counters
Advanced Mid Kick Catch Counters
Turning a Catch into a Fight-Ender
From Control to Devastation
Catching a mid kick is the ultimate form of control. You have taken away one of your opponent's primary weapons and left them unbalanced on one leg. At an advanced level, the goal is to capitalize on this momentary control with maximum efficiency and power. These challenging drills focus on high-level counters that require precise timing, footwork, and a deep understanding of how to manipulate your opponent's balance after the catch.
Challenging Catch & Counter Drills
Drill 1: Catch, Pull & Overhand
Goal: To use the catch to pull your opponent into a power punch.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. Catch it under your lead armpit. Instead of just holding it, forcefully **pull** the captured leg forward and to your lead side. This will pull your opponent's head and body down and forward, directly into the path of your powerful **Rear Overhand** or **Rear Elbow**.
Drill 2: Catch, Fake & Head Kick
Goal: To use a deceptive fake to open up a high-kick counter.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. Catch it securely. **Fake a low kick sweep** at their supporting leg, forcing them to drop their weight and hands to defend it. As they react, immediately fire your own **Rear Head Kick** over their lowered guard.
Drill 3: The "Run the Pipe" Sweep
Goal: A powerful sweep that uses forward momentum to dump the opponent.
Drill: Partner throws a **rear mid kick**. Catch it under your lead armpit. Immediately take a large, aggressive step forward and to the outside with your rear foot (this is called "running the pipe"). As you step, use the momentum to drive your shoulder into their chest and swing their captured leg upwards, dumping them forcefully to the mat.
Keys to an Elite Catch & Counter Game
- One Step Rule: Remember to practice your counters within one step of the catch to build good habits for competition.
- Manipulate, Don't Just Hold: An advanced catch involves actively pulling, pushing, and lifting the leg to keep your opponent completely off-balance and vulnerable.
- Explosive Follow-up: The window of opportunity after a catch is small. Your counter must be thrown with full commitment and speed the instant you've created your opening.
- Anticipate the Catch: Don't wait for the kick to land. As you see the kick coming, you should already be in position and preparing your hands for the catch.