Editing Kick (section)

==Applications==

As the human leg is longer and stronger than the arm, kicks are generally used to keep an opponent at a distance, surprise them with their range and inflict substantial damage. [[Stance (martial arts)|Stance]] is also very important in any combat system and any attempt to deliver a kick will necessarily compromise stability to some degree. The application of kicks is a trade-off between the power and range that can be delivered against the cost incurred to balance. As combat situations are fluid, understanding this trade-off and making the appropriate decision to adjust to each moment is key.

Kicks are commonly directed against helpless or downed targets, while for more general [[self-defense]] applications, the consensus is that simple kicks aimed at vulnerable targets below the chest may be highly efficient, but should be executed with a degree of care. Self-defense experts, such as author and teacher Marc Macyoung, claim that kicks should be aimed no higher than the waist/stomach.  Thus, the fighter should not compromise their balance while delivering a kick and retract the leg properly to avoid grappling. It is often recommended to build and drill simple combinations that involve attacking different levels of an opponent. A common example would be distracting an opponent's focus via a fake jab, following up with a powerful attack at the opponent's legs and punching.

Further, since low kicks are inherently quicker and harder to see and dodge in general they are often emphasized in a street fight scenario.
[[File:"gup_jarn"_high_roundhouse_kick.jpg|thumb|150px|Ancient Khmer martial artist show off flexibility for high kick. Bas-relief at the [[Bayon]] (12th/13th century) in [[Cambodia]].]]

===Practicality of high kicks===
[[File:Alan_Crist_doing_a_standing_splits.jpg|thumb|150px|American karateka shows off flexibility needed for a high kick]]
The utility of high kicks (above chest level) has been debated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/5/13/4324768/kicking-mma-striking-styles-crocop-renan-barao-ufc-mma |title=Kicking is starting to impact MMA striking |work=Bloody Elbow |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=2014-01-17 |archive-date=2014-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113113914/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/5/13/4324768/kicking-mma-striking-styles-crocop-renan-barao-ufc-mma |url-status=live }}</ref> Proponents have viewed that some high front snap kicks are effective for striking the face or throat, particularly against charging opponents and flying kicks can be effective to scare off attackers.{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}} Martial arts systems that utilize high kicks also emphasize training of very efficient and technically perfected forms of kicks, include recovery techniques in the event of a miss or block and will employ a wide repertoire of kicks adapted to specific situations.

Detractors have asserted that the flying/jumping kicks performed in synthesis styles are primarily performed for conditioning or aesthetic reasons, while the high kicks as practiced in sport martial arts are privileged due to specialized tournament rules, such as limiting the contest to [[stand-up fighting]], or reducing the penalty resulting from a failed attempt at delivering a kick.

Although kicks can result in an easy [[takedown (grappling)|takedown]] for the opponent if they are caught or the resulting imbalance is exploited, kicks to all parts of the body are very present in [[mixed martial arts]], with some fighters employing them sporadically, while others, like [[Lyoto Machida]], [[Edson Barboza]] and [[Donald Cerrone]] rely heavily on their use and have multiple [[knockout]]s by kicks on their resume.