Do any traditional martial arts still teach crescent kicks?

Question

It seems like crescent kicks might be the most worthless strike out there, except for maybe reverse crescent kicks. Are any traditional martial arts schools still teaching this ridculous nonsense? If so, what's the point?

I didn't mean to offend anyone. The point I was trying to make is that it seems like they wouldn't have any power on them and there is no sense in standing on one leg, thus opening yourself up to a takedown if your strike won't even hurt. For the person that asked if I like jump kicks, absolutely not. I think those are ridculous as well, flying knees are good though.

Answer 1

I agree. I think the outside crescent kick is pretty useless in a real unarmed fight.

I have been fiddling with using an outside crescent kick in knife defense. Better to get my shoes cut than my hands I say. Well...better yet to just run...but if you are trapped in a corner....

Since most forms were created in times where weapon fighting was paramount, I would say the reason they are prevalent in traditional martial arts is because of the importance of weapon defense "back in the days".

Answer 2

I teach crescent kicks in my studio both as a means of self-defense as well as for fighting. The crescent kick has a couple of different purposes. One is for striking a weapon like a staff from the side and pushing it to the side away from you or you opponent hands that are holding a weapon such as a sword. Another purpose is to throw a kick to the side of the face or nose when you are just a little to close to use that rear leg round house since you don't turn on the ball of your front foot and your hip all the way over. You can also use it in sport karate to knock your opponent's guard down and over giving you a chance to follow up and attack his face and head with your hands if he does not hold his guard very steady and if you are quick on your feet. You also don't use your groin muscle very much on a crescent kick so if you have a pulled groin you can still throw one-its mainly hamstring, quad and hip that you are using on an inside one.
So it has a purpose or two but in a full contact fight or in a street situation there are probably better techniques to employ than a crescent kick.

Answer 3

Among the other kicks....crescent kicks are taught in my school. Instructor said most likely you'll only use a front kick or a side kick.....its understood its not likely to be your first choice of kick.

I've seen some people do pretty powerful crescent kicks too before. I konw there are issues with breaking boards and what not, but i've seen plenty of people break concrete with crescent kicks (side of the foot).

Obviously not a first choice, but i don't think its useless.

Answer 4

You may not be aware of it, but there are still Sport Karate events being held all over the world. MMA is not the only form of competition out there. In events where the rules prohibit takedowns and ground fighting, crescent kicks are very effective. I see some WFL fighters using them very well.

I used to use the outside crescent kick as a kickboxer. You just have to use it in the right situation.

Answer 5

Crescent kicks are taught at my school and is one of my favorite for sparring. The best is for - not MMA style - but traditional sparring. Where the target point is a chest protector. They are great to get the guards out of the way then follow up with a straight kick. The cool thing is it opens open the side ribs - a great place to go for a hard kick when fighting with chest protectors. In real self defense we teach them to knock a weapon out of someone's hand. I think that that would work as long as you made good contact with their wrist. Personally I would rather try to kick a weapon out of someone's hand then grab it - keeps them at more a of a distance.

Answer 6

We teach crescent kicks... and we don't consider them "ridiculous nonsense." A properly applied crescent kick (either inside or outside crescent kick) raises a sparring opponent's guard to the head, leaving his/her body open to score with a stronger follow-up kick, such as a round, side, or hook kick. Crescent kicks are never taught as devastating kicks -- there is simply not enough power in them -- but they are excellent distracting techniques.

Answer 7

Chris M is right on the money. I lucked out my first try when I picked my style of Karate. When I first met my Sensei(s), I was unsure what 2 short, older ladies could teach me. I soon learned that they were excellent teachers, hard but ready to praise if warranted. And they could walk the talk as well. Under them, I flourished. Have now been with them for over 16 years. So... not only look for a style that "feels" right to you, but like Chris M said, make sure you get the right vibe from your teacher(s). Politics shouldn't play any part of your training, and also make use of the internet. Google them or the club if you are curious or unsure. If you find the right one, you won't need to "move on" to a more advanced art. They get more advanced as you move forward.

Answer 8

We teach it. Both as a block and an offensive move.
I disagree with your conclusion about this being a useless kick. If it is used properly it is quite effective.
I like to take it low to the knee. Most people don't even see it coming.
If you feel it is useless then you may need to have some critique how you are doing it.
If you it feel it is useless because you are on one leg when performing it then you must feel all kicks are useless.

Answer 9

crescent kicks are only powerful if you have strong kicks. I've met capoeira practitioners and shaolin students whose crescent kicks are really powerful.

Don't judge the attack in question based on the experience of only watching unskilled people perform them. It's like saying why teach front kicks because I only saw bad front kicks.

When you see a really good crescent kick, you will fear them.

Answer 10

If you think they are useless, you are clearly mistaken or you have no idea how to utilize them properly. Cresent kicks can be used as strikes as well as clearing blocks. I use them to close the range up and follow with a flurry of strikes. They are easy to change in mid-kick. If your opponent knows it's coming, you can change it to a side kick or roundhouse kick or whatever. They're also good for taking out the knees as well as moving your opponent off balance.