Direction of Attacks (Praxis and Pedagogy)

• LMA Table of Contents

The front, side, and back kicks are all the same technique aimed at different directions. When your target is in front of you, it's the front kick (teep); when the target is to the side of you, it's the side kick; when the target is behind you, it's the back kick. The names tell you where to orient the technique, which determines the delivery. What's always more important than "how do I do a technique" is, "Where is my opponent, and where are they open?"

The target and conditions determine the method. Rather than centering your attention on yourself and your techniques, orient to your opponent and their openings and allow those conditions to determine your response. What's more important than what you can do is what your opponent will let you do. Ideally, a technique is a response to your opponent rather than your thoughts.