🛠️MMA Tactical Tool Box: Karate Style High Kick Setup
A Study in the 1-2 Angle High Kick and 1-2 Same Side High Kick from “Movement as a Weapon” by Stephen Thompson. Taking a look at the contexts, applications, and ideas behind the moves.
Getting Off The Tracks
“On the tracks” refers to a position in the pocket. This is the angle where both fighters are facing each other. In terms of foot position, in a closed stance matchup, the fighters lead foot is lined up with the opponent’s rear foot and the rear foot is lined up with the opponent’s lead foot. In a open stance matchup, the fighters lead foot is lined up with the opponent’s lead foot and the rear foot is lined up with the opponent’s rear foot. The tracks is a dangerous position as both fighters can hit each other. Stephen Thompson in his prime used punches as a way to get off the tracks.
One of the ideas behind the 1-2 angle high kick is to get off the tracks and punish the opponent moving away from the right hand. Here's a more detailed look at the drill.
One of the typical responses to the 1-2 is to move outside the path of the rear hand.
Example of 1-2 angle high kick not working. Thompson hits Whittaker's shoulder after Thompson angles out.
Same idea, different move. The idea is still to take an angle off the tracks and throw an attack from the dominant position. First clip shows Thompson drilling it, Second clip shows him executing it on Masvidal.
Taking the angle after the 1-2 is not always needed especially in an open stance matchup where the opponent has a habit of transitioning the weight to the rear leg as a response to punches. The 1-2 same side high kick (without angle change) is a good idea in this context.
1-2 Same side high kick is a good ring cutting tool. If the kick hits the wrist the opponent has to stand still for a beat.
Closing Thoughts
The 1-2 angle high kick and the 1-2 same side high kick are not new ideas. They are effective in mma due to the opponent’s use of head movement or theirposition in the cage.
The 1-2 angle high kick is good to punish someone moving laterally outside the path of the right hand.
The 1-2 Same side high kick is good against southpaws who dip to their rear side or as a cage cutting tool when the opponent does not have room to move backwards.
Paid Members
This article was free but if you upgrade to a paid membership you will get:
full access to my scouting reports and execution series as well as all my short videos with annotations.
full access to all my post fight studies
early looks at things I am working on
Ghost’s Socials
Make sure you follow me at all my socials:
I only say obnoxious things on twitter, everywhere else I try to post good content.
Other Ways to Support
If you’re still here and want to support my threads and this substack in small way. Click through the link below before buying something on amazon and a small commission will go to me.
And if you are feeling really generous and want to make a one time donation, click on the ko-fi link.