The Power of the Set-Up: Using Hand Strikes to Land Kicks

The Power of the Set-Up: Using Hand Strikes to Land Kicks

When I was a green belt, I remember watching the black belts spar and thinking their kicks were unstoppable. They would land clean shots seemingly out of nowhere. It wasn’t until years later—after a lot of trial, error, and bruised ribs—that I truly understood what they were doing: they weren’t just kicking. They were setting up their kicks. And the most effective way they did that? Hand strikes.

Using hand strikes to set up kicks is a simple concept, but it’s one that takes some time to master. Most beginners think sparring is either punch-punch or kick-kick, when in reality, it’s the interplay between the two that makes a fighter dangerous. A quick jab or cross can draw the guard up high, opening up the torso for a roundhouse or side kick. Even a light flick of the hand can distract your opponent just long enough for a spinning kick to slip through.

One of my go-to combinations—especially when coaching students—is a jab-cross followed immediately by a rear-leg roundhouse to the body. The hand strikes don’t need to land hard; their job is to force a reaction. If the opponent brings their hands up to block or parry, they’re no longer protecting their ribs or midsection. Boom—kick lands. It’s a great example of efficiency over brute force.

This strategy becomes even more effective when you start mixing up your rhythms and angles. For example, I’ll sometimes throw a half-speed jab just to make them flinch or lean, then fire a quick switch kick to the open side. It’s about manipulating their defense and making them play your game. Once they’re reacting to your hands, you control the tempo—and the openings.

Of course, the key here is control and timing. Your hand strikes should be sharp and deliberate, not wild or rushed. You want your kicks to land cleanly without risking injury to your partner or opponent. As I tell my students, “Skill them, don’t kill them.” Sparring is a game of setups and counters, not domination. When done right, your hands become the keys that unlock your best weapons—your legs.

So the next time you spar, resist the urge to go straight for the big kicks. Start small. Use your hands to test, probe, and manipulate. You’ll be surprised how many openings you create when you make your opponent defend the wrong thing first.

Author bio:

Master Jonathan Field is a 12-time world champion in competitive martial arts breaking and the head instructor at Cobourg Tae Kwon Do. With decades of experience as a coach, competitor, and lifelong martial artist, he shares practical strategies to help martial artists of all levels level up their sparring and breaking game.

Link to Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Black-Book-Martial-Sparring-ebook/dp/B0B8KZGM5M?ref_=ast_author_mpb