A distinct category of a basic which is physically distinguishable by striking with the lower extremities of the body.

Comments:

Kicks include any part of the leg, including: foot, shin, knee, thigh, etc.

And, with each part of the leg, the kick usually can be executed in the following directions:

horizontal (inward / outward)

vertical (upward / downward)

diagonal (inward / outward - upward / downward)

Additionally, many of these kicks can be executed with a variety of different Methods of Execution, including (but not limited to):

Thrust

Hammer

Hook

Roundhouse

Lift

Loop

Scoop

Given the numerous potential contact points and directions available to effect the maneuver, one can easily see that the potential for creating a list of all possible kicks is daunting. This is why primarily only the kicks included in the original written curriculum are individually listed in this section. The exception to this are specialty kicks that need to be highlighted do to there usage in a variety of combat and self-defense situations.

Something that should be highlighted about kicks (due to the greater amount of force generated) is that they are not impervious to injury. One should keep in mind of the concept of - hardness of weapon to hardness of target. This is especially true with contact points like: instep, thigh, calf, etc.

Kicks are essentially a specialized strike which employs the lower extremities (i.e. legs and feet).

From on perspective, kicks are an exaggerated form of a foot maneuver. It is very common for a foot maneuver to be executed with a kick. Another way to look at this same piece of information is that kicks are foot maneuvers - just with a distinct offensive addition. And continuing with this perspective, a kick could be considered a sophisticated foot maneuver.