How to use a Groin Kick in Self-Defense Situations

This page provides details on how to do an effective Groin Kick. One of the most basic self-defense techniques is the groin kick. This kick can temporarily incapacitate many male opponents. However, given the pain inflicted by this technique, many males instinctively protect their groin. Most groin kicks usually involve a front kick to the groin.

Many of these self-defense targets (i.e. groin or eyes) are illegal in martial arts sparring competitions. However, they are useful in self-defense situations (i.e. rape prevention). These attacks on vital areas should only be used in life or death situations as you can severely injure your opponent.

For more instruction, please visit the Vital Points, Kicking Techniques and Self-Defense sections.

Instructions:

• Krav Maga practitioners (as seen in the video above) focus their groin kick as a power strike using the lower part of the shin or instep and send it up into the groin
  • Pointing their toes forward they aim the strike as if they intend to drive the kick up into the person
• On the other hand Karate practitioners often use a snapping groin kick where they use only the top of the foot or instep and is perform with a quick snapping motion
  • The toes are still pointed forward but speed is valued over power
  • The reason for this being that many karate stances can be quickly shifted to avoid a groin kick or catch it (like a sanchin stance)

More:
For more on the groin refer back to the Groin page
For more on vital points refer to the Vital points page
For more on martial arts anatomy refer to the Anatomy page