Do you prefer to punch or kick?

Depends on the situation - like, If too close to kick, then you better like punching enough to do that and not try a doomed kick!

But to answer the actual question, what do -I- prefer?

I prefer to punch. And I'll tell you why.

A failed kick can leave you far open than a failed punch.

If a kick misses, you can be off-balance and vulnerable.

If a kick is blocked, it can take time to switch to the other leg.

If a kick is trapped, you are hopping about on one leg.

Not so much with punches.

Also if a punch fails in any of the above ways, you can switch to grappling with the arms. Or headbutt.

What can you do with legs??

Also you can punch with alternate hands very quickly, compared to kicks.

Try it, throw 6 attacks left-right-left-right-left-right to the midsection, quickly and powerfully.

Which do you find can be done quickest, leaves you the most stable. and least out of breath??

Just my opinion. Kicking sure can look purtier though. :)

I prefer the well rounded approach. If a kick is required I would use the kick. If a punch was needed I would punch. In truth I would like to get home without kicking or punching. When training punch AND kick until you have got both techniques perfect. That will take about 50 years or so.

J

Punching i have boxed for 3 years so i can punch pretty hard with either of my hands and it is natural reaction for me.

I don't mind some kicks but i can only really use my right leg because my left is awkward.

You need to be able to punch and kick huh.

Im sure your average street thug is well versed in karate is he.

Ohh and what tyson would get his **** kick in a fight because he can't kick yeah right.

The fact is kicking is a good opener and okay for bridgeing the gap but after that it is easyer to rush in and get close range than it is to use kicks to keep the distance.

I'm not that skilled in other kicks besides muay thai roundhouses but it really depends on the opponent.

I sparred with a guy that was four times my size (I'm serious) and the thing was I tried out a side kick that I've been practicing for only a month. My back leg was too far back and so when he grabbed my leg that was executing the side-kick, he pushed my leg up and I heard my back knee make this nasty snapping sound. Luckily it was only a hyper-extension.

I sprawled on the floor, in pain and agony. Had to spend my spring break on crutches (and I'm talking recently, like 2009 spring). I'm still healing... That taught me well not to do a predictable side kick to a person four times my size.

If my opponent likes kicks, I go for punches.

If my opponents likes punches, I go for kicks.

It's like if the person your fighting is a boxer... don't be the boxer. Play another character. You'll knock each other out.

My best kick I can execute is a Muay Thai round house to the outer thigh or lower. It gives me time to move in for the kill with a higher kick or a punch. I personally don't care if the opponent hits me, as long as I get in their guard.

there s a lot of variations in kicks. i'm not talking about fancy either. angeled down your shn acts like a knife and its so painfull to the thigh even done slowly in the "right" way... this is difficult.

I think I prefer to punch becasue yyou are closer to the person and able to do a little more after.

with a kick you are not making it personal.

i have issues

both if you only punch somebody who kicks will just keep you out of reach by using kicks, and if you only kick all the person has to do is close the distance. and if you are a puncher and kicker all a person has to do is take you down that's why it's so important to be well rounded in punching, kicking, and grappling.

I am more of a punch. Cause kicks are easy knock outs, but fists are a little harder to pull off. Legs are long range, and fist are close range, you gotta have balls to throw a punch and have the possibly to get hit also. Kicks are easy to throw, but people can catch it and blast your *** with a nice one to the face. Like anderson silva!

I also prefer kicking... your reach is better by far and there is more power in a kick as compared to a punch. Besides, kicking is one of my strengths.

I prefer to use whatever gets me home safe to my wife and child. If it requires a punch / strike no problem...if it requires a kick / knee no problem. This is beauty of authentic Karate...we do both equally well and understand the strength and weakness of each technique as well as when it is needed to be used in real self defense.

1. It depends on the distance....

2. You better be able to punch AND kick or you are going to get your *ss kicked.