An idiom referring to the angle at which a strike, executed from a rear weapon, creates a body posture where it is practical, easier, safer, and usually necessary to initiate a Step-Through Foot Maneuver - rather than retracting the weapon back to its Point of Origin.

Comments:

Usually, time to retract, awkwardness or inability to retract, unwise and/or timely exposure of Vital Targets, or the inability to create an immediate and/ or effective defense will dictate if or when an Angle of no Return is reached.

With kicks, the Degree of Rotation of the hips will usually dictate the Angle of no Return.  Once one's Center of Gravity passes beyond the supporting leg, and Angle of no Return is reached and it becomes easier to continue in with the momentum of the move, than it is for one stop the momentum in order to retract the kick.

With kicks, a common mistake a practitioner makes is to lean away from the intended target to compensate for and possibly negate an Angle of no Return.  The result of this mistake is the loss of Body Momentum and an erect posture, which can severely detract from the power of the strike and reduce the ability to leverage future offensive or defensive moves.

The most common Methods of Execution to cause an Angle of no Return are the thrust and roundhouse.

Angle of no Return differs from Committed Action, in that Angle of no Return is more specific and is limited to moves initiated from of the rear weapon and which forces the practitioner into executing a Step-Through Foot Maneuver.

Example(s):

A roundhouse or thrusting ball kick executed off of the rear leg, if executed properly, will create an Angle of no Return.

Walking and running implement an Angle of no Return.  Upon examination it becomes apparent that walking and running are essentially a controlled fall.  To implement walking or running, the weight of the body is moved to the point where the body begins to fall.  The legs and feet are then used to stop the fall of the body, and the process is started over again.  To stop, the body is brought back over the legs and balance is restored.

Synonym(s):

Committed Action

A.K.A.:

Point of No Return

Related Definition(s):

Angle, Adjust, Alter, Degree, Execute, Kick, Line, Maneuver, Move, Offense, Path, Posture, Rear, Regulate, Retract, Space, Strike, Travel, Weapon

Related Term(s):

Angle of Return, Body Momentum, Center of Gravity, Committed Action, Degree of Rotation, Foot Maneuver, Method of Execution, Point of no Return, Point of Origin, Step-Through