Stepping on the foot!

[evergrey]

OSU,
Do you ever step on someone's foot to pin them in place during kumite?

I have found myself doing it constantly without thinking about it. If someone has long legs and loves to fight at range, I'll try to get myself in close and pin their foot if possible. I also do it to people who back away from me too much, or dance around a lot.

I've found that this isn't such a great idea with the dan ranks though. Some of 'em know how to shift that foot just SO and get me on the ground, and some of them will say "yeah, that actually isn't going to help you any, because now we're connected, and you're also stuck in place."

Is this actually a bad idea on my part? Am I heading towards a lot of butt-kickings?

I am not sure how I got SO into this habit. Sometimes I even pin someone's foot during drills, and I have to make a conscious effort to NOT do it. Hm. Ever find yourself developing a habit like this?

OSU

[seattle]

I do it on occasion, as a distraction to the other fighter. Although it does not work in our class very well anymore as most everybody is used to getting a foot stepped on to distract.

[evergrey]

OSU, that is the problem, when people get to know your tricks, heheh!

I once tried to distract by stomping on the mat. It didn't work with the brown belt I was sparring, Shihan said "what was that supposed to be, huh?" and the other Sensei said "we aren't ninjers here!"

[monty]

I wonder how you stand (not literally) as far as tournament rules on this?

Are you allowed in BKK rules to pin the foot of your opponent?

Monty

[senshido]

I dont think I've heard it mentioned specifically, but my guess is that, repeated offences would get you a warning?... Gary any ideas?

BTW in the dojo, no problem

[evergrey]

It DOES become a problem sometimes if my sparring partner has, say, forgotten to trim his TOENAILS. Not that anyone I know would do that. But I might have theoretically cut open the sole of my foot on someone's raptor talons...

[senshido]

dojo etiquete for my clubs, means short clean nails

[fatjoe]

Stepping on a foot can upset your opponents rhythm and comfort zone, but if you are inexperienced with how to maneuver with this technique, to much focus on a foot can lead to loss of focus elsewhere. I find, that if I step on the foot a few times just to frustrate my opponent they will lean forward more often.........try it sometime and see. This obviously leads to some great opportunities.

However, my favorite supplement to the foot hold is to immediately shift my back foot up in a skip, and launch a front leg kick, usually chudan mae geri or gedan mawashi..........now I have also used it to put together punching combos and when my opponent pulls away,...ushiro mawashi geri as they move to their right.

Osu!!

[MMX]

I have not had this happen to me. Since we train with alot of Ashi Barai I am always aware of my front foot and to pick it up quick for a counter sweep.

[Ros]

I can't help but feel that stepping on feet is cheating! If anyone tries to pin me in place by stepping on my foot I'll happily punch them until they get off. ;D

[GJEC]

Apr 5, 2011 4:13:52 GMT -5 senshido said:

I dont think I've heard it mentioned specifically, but my guess is that, repeated offences would get you a warning?... Gary any ideas?

BTW in the dojo, no problem

It's not something specifically mentioned in most rules but the referee would decide if it was applied 'unsportingly'. Can't think I've ever had to warn anyone for doing this.

It reminds me of the story of the boxer though; when his coach shouted "Tread on his toes" he glanced down and promptly got sparkoed by an uppercut. You'd have to wonder if the effect you can get outweighs the risk. As Ros said, if someone treads on you they're right in range. Punish them.

Gary

[curlbroscience]

One of my old sensei liked to feint jabs to the face as a distraction during kyokushin kumite. I got used to them and stopped acknowledging them until I got popped a few times in the face with it.

I think I was more angry than anything else, but I guess there is some lesson in there. I haven't learned it yet....