Modern Self Defence: Learning From a Kickboxing Champion
‘Defence’ may seem an odd term to be throwing around in a realm focused significantly on doing harm, essentially. However, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that martial arts’ core philosophy revolves around the capacity to safeguard oneself and others. We’re about to dissect a video from the Hard2Hurt YouTube channel, with Icy Mike exploring the world of self defence, taking insights straight from a six-time kickboxing World Champion, Gabriel Varga. The title, “How a World Champion Kickboxer Completely Shut Me Down,” hints at an intriguing discussion about certain kickboxing techniques which can be utilized effectively in modern-day self-defence scenarios. A noteworthy aspect that Mike highlighted at the video’s onset was his unique familiarity with encroaching—an aggressive step towards the opponent. However, the tactics that usually work for him were muted when sparring with Varga. Mike struggled to infiltrate Varga’s defences and found himself constantly pushed back by the latter’s roundhouse kicks (’round kicks’ in slang terms). In typical fashion, Mike sought to decode this unfamiliar challenge. The key was in Gabriel Varga’s utilization of an unconventional round kick technique, characterized by bending the knee and pushing the opponent back at a distinct 45-degree angle. This disrupts the opponent’s attack pattern, ensuring they don’t infiltrate his defence system. On observing and understanding this technique, Mike acknowledged its impact in reducing the extent of reach disparity and neutralizing an enemy’s advance. In the video, Varga demonstrated how to harness this technique effectively: maintaining a steady lead hip movement, ensuring a counterbalancing motion between the hip thrust and leaning the head back, and executing the kick at the right moment. This kick, by design, relegates it more as a self-defence mechanism than an initial attacking approach. Drawing parallels between this technique and a ‘long knee’ mechanic, Gabriel highlighted how recurring practice could improve efficacy and precision. If we picture this move’s execution, it’s akin to a punch’s energy being leveraged against it, causing the approach to be deflected or denied completely. Varga’s demonstration was indicative of how moving forward while executing a switch kick could be beneficial in maintaining position, creating distance, and disrupting the opponent’s attack. Now, such an advanced defence technique requires rigorous training to master. Varga simplifies this practice with a drill where the learner continually throws the kick while alternating with feint punches and movements, to build muscle memory while handling possible distractions. Mike likened it to an offensively launched front kick, designed to force the opponent backwards. As the understanding of the drill grew, Gabriel asserted the need to reduce the gap, thus pressurizing the learner’s execution time, similar to real self-defence scenarios. Practicing self-defence in the modern context involves adapting combat sport techniques and principles. It’s important to understand that there isn’t a ‘one fits all’ move, as situations are dynamic. In true ‘hard2hurt’ spirit, always remember: self-defence comes in various forms, and sometimes the best offence indeed is a good defence. High-profile fighters like Varga illustrate this remarkably through their unorthodox yet effective techniques, underscoring the inextricable ties between martial arts and self-defence.Conclusion
To conclude, the video highlights an innovative strategy adopted by a top-notch kickboxer, providing insights into developing a robust defence mechanism rather than merely focusing on assaulting tactics. Such lessons blend theories into practical knowledge, leading to accelerated skill development, increased awareness, and, ultimately, a more adept martial artist. Mike’s conversations with celebrated professionals highlight the essence of martial arts, guiding us in a direction away from brute force and towards calculated skill application.Blablabla
The YouTube channel Hard2Hurt, managed by Icy Mike, provides valuable self-defense tips and physical fitness routines. Icy Mike, an experienced martial arts trainer, presents potentially life-saving advice with humor, making his channel approachable and entertaining. His real-world fight analysis proves critical for anyone interested in self-protection theories.
Self-Defence Block
Always love filming with Icy Mike ❤
Although I did miss Seth, Shane and the rest of the crew. I'm looking forward to our next group collab.
Soooo….What’s to stop grabbing the incoming leg and pulling the kicker off balance?
One of my bucket lists is to train with Icy Mike, love this man!
Pure gold!
Oh boy, here goes the long comment, cose I just got my mind blown and I must share it somewhere. So, Muay Thai gym in which I was training was known as the best in the region (like, out of three – five towns nearby, pretty much a big deal), but I never really understood why exactly, cose that is the only gym I ever trained at, and due to health problems I never competed. So I really just took it with a bit of scepticism: it was kind of a small place (gym in this video is almost double the size), it was far from the center of the town, and it didn't have the best equipment. ONLY now, I see the reason. Basically any ADVANCED way to use a technique( related to kickboxing or Muay Thai) that I see online, was the ONLY way that was thought to us from the start. We only threw a roundhouse like this, for the same reasons stated in the video. Coaches knew their art, what can I say. Sry for a long post, and my bad English, if anyone sees it.
I feel this guy is good about roundhouse kicks but I think those kicks are bad because they put you off balance. I'd only advise front kicks and mule kicks against a good fighter.
What Gabriel was saying about how hard it is to tighten on the right side when throwing no matter how conditioned the body may be is exactly what happened to Garcia
I didn't realize that this concept wasn't widely known. Never kick with your leg totally straight. That's just asking to be countered. To say you don't like switch kicking is like saying "I don't understand muay thai kicking technique.''😅I guess this is a good illustration of one of the differences between Muay Thai and watered down kick boxing. Gabriel is someone who understands Muay Thai technique but isn't bound by it, and is able to absorb and adapt the best of everything into his own unique style. Watch this guy and learn. He's one of the best MA YouTubers out there at the moment.
Yeah.. that's how you do roundouse kicks.. it's supposed to be a thing you learn in your first week of kickboxing…
The that's love doing this.
I heve never seen this type of kick before!
But the opponent can grab that leg and throw you 🤔
I Have a Muay Thai grading in a week where we have to do a few rounds of sparring at the end. I tend to get walked down by my bigger opponents. Im bringing this in my arsenal for sure. No one there does this from what I have seen : )))
It's a close-range teep
02:30 Well, I tried that thrusting hip forward thing couple of times but now I have this sharp pain in my gut whenever I strain or try to bend my torso sideways.. Hm..
u just push up on the kicker slightly and they fall over, done it 1000 times
You you still drive with your hips for this
He’s really just describing the taekwondo traditional style round kick.
So its the function of a teep with the form of a roundhouse. I like that. Its a push kick from the shin.
I rmb doing this accidentally to someone
I love it! Mark the front foot when switch kicking back not the back foot though