Chambering the Knee?

in8oo · 09:31 AM

How often do you see Mixed Martial Artists chamber their knee before kicks (especially before a roundhouse)?

From Wikipedia:

"The taekwondo roundhouse kick, is performed by first drawing the knee straight up in a "chamber" position. This chamber, identical to the chamber of many taekwondo kicks (front kick, side kick, etc.) is utilized so that the opponent cannot guess which kick will be thrown. This differentiates it from Muay Thai and other roundhouse kicks, which tend to incorporate rotation before or during the rising of the knee. The knee is then rotated so that it is nearly parallel to the ground (counterclockwise for the right leg roundhouse) and the kicking hip is simultaneously rotated towards the opponent. The rotation of the hip, combined with the snapping of the leg forward, gives the kick its power. The striking surface is the instep or the ball of the foot. This is also called an "off the line" or "rear leg" roundhouse kick."

While some might argue that chambering the knee before the kick comes at the expense of power, I feel that the speed of the kick and the fact that the kick remains "hidden" more than compensates for the "lack" of power.

Example - Check out 3.40

Thoughts?

No Quarter · 06-25-2008, 10:04 AM

The majority of fighters training in MMA these days train Muay Thai as their primary striking art.

You do not chamber the kick in MT as you have stated above for power reasons.

I began my training in TMA many years ago so I was also taught to chamber round house kicks. I now train MT and find that I can generate more power and speed by NOT chambering the kick.

Just my thoughts.

ChachiKiller · 06-26-2008, 02:38 PM

It never hurts to do both. GSP does a good job with this. He sets up power kicks with finesse kicks. In the case of Hughes, the finesse kick knocked him out. I did not know that was possible.

ChachiKiller · 06-26-2008, 02:40 PM

It never hurts to do both. GSP does a good job with this. He sets up power kicks with finesse kicks. In the case of Hughes, the finesse kick knocked him out. I did not know that was possible.

jlagman · 06-26-2008, 02:53 PM

Chambering the leg for the purpose of hiding intent seems much better suited for TKD tournaments than Muay Thai or MMA. You can catch kicks and sweep in Muay Thai, you can shoot in MMA. Under those conditions, it doesn't seem to make much sense standing on one leg, with your leg chambered, for a longer period of time; there are plenty of other ways to feint.

**strangelov** · 06-26-2008, 08:47 PM

The chambering is done to generate power and to disguise the technique, as previously stated. Contrary to belief, properly executed TKD kicks don't leave you exposed for very long. To kick, you have to pick a foot off the floor; the fighter is at risk through out the execution the technique until it is completed and the foot returns to the floor. I'd say the risk is equal to almost any kicking technique. It’s harder to catch a leg that is pushing forward and then pulling out then a leg coming in with a swooping motion to strike with very little retraction after impact as the foot falls to the side.

To me, MT kicks generate a lot of power, but do that at the cost of telegraphing the kick.

I think both techniques can be very successful when properly used. As another poster pointed out with GSP as the example, training in both makes a stronger fighter. Think of it in terms of punching. There are jabs, hooks, upper cuts, and overheads. Many MT kicks are like power full, blindsiding hooks. The knees are like short, but powerful uppercuts. TKD front and side kicks come out with a quick popping motion like jabs. Ax kicks are like overheads, you get the picture. Taking that into account, I’ve seen fighter KO from quickly slipped jabs as well as power shots like hooks. Having the variety in your tool bag doesn’t hurt.

Lately we've been seeing fighter employing more straight kicks, spinning back kicks, and side kicks. I believe this is being done to mix it up. MT is so common place. Many fighters train specifically to defend against MT striking. TKD and Karate techniques are unorthodox to many MMA fighters and can cause problems for them in a fight. Variety and evolution is key to stay ahead of you opponent.

I think I made a valid point somewhere in this tangent of a post.

Halfbreed83 · 06-26-2008, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strangelov

The chambering is done to generate power and to disguise the technique, as previously stated. Contrary to belief, properly executed TKD kicks don't leave you exposed for very long. To kick, you have to pick a foot off the floor; the fighter is at risk through out the execution the technique until it is completed and the foot returns to the floor. I'd say the risk is equal to almost any kicking technique. It’s harder to catch a leg that is pushing forward and then pulling out then a leg coming in with a swooping motion to strike with very little retraction after impact as the foot falls to the side.

To me, MT kicks generate a lot of power, but do that at the cost of telegraphing the kick.

I think both techniques can be very successful when properly used. As another poster pointed out with GSP as the example, training in both makes a stronger fighter. Think of it in terms of punching. There are jabs, hooks, upper cuts, and overheads. Many MT kicks are like power full, blindsiding hooks. The knees are like short, but powerful uppercuts. TKD front and side kicks come out with a quick popping motion like jabs. Ax kicks are like overheads, you get the picture. Taking that into account, I’ve seen fighter KO from quickly slipped jabs as well as power shots like hooks. Having the variety in your tool bag doesn’t hurt.

Lately we've been seeing fighter employing more straight kicks, spinning back kicks, and side kicks. I believe this is being done to mix it up. MT is so common place. Many fighters train specifically to defend against MT striking. TKD and Karate techniques are unorthodox to many MMA fighters and can cause problems for them in a fight. Variety and evolution is key to stay ahead of you opponent.

I think I made a valid point somewhere in this tangent of a post.

Great post! I agree with you about evolving MMA kicks and how the MT kick isn't the only kick one should have in their arsenal . . . .