Outward Ghost Groin Kick

SubFamily

アウトワード・ゴースト・グロイン・キック(Autowādo Gōsuto Guroin Kikku)

Translation: Outward ghost groin kick

Overview

The Outward Ghost Groin Kick is a deceptive crescent-arc kick that feints toward the groin before redirecting outward, exploiting the opponent's protective reflex. [1] Like its inward counterpart (the Phantom Groin Kick), it uses the groin-protection instinct as a tactical weapon. [1] The outward redirection can strike the side of the head or ribs. [1]

Also known as
Deceptive Outside Groin Kick
Used in
KarateTaekwondoKickboxingMMAKung Fu

History & Origin

The Outward Ghost Groin Kick is a specialised variant documented in cross-style kicking methodology. [1] It represents an advanced development of the standard crescent kick. [1]

Effectiveness

Offers specific tactical advantages over the standard crescent kick in appropriate situations. [1]

Lineage

Cross-style martial arts kicking tradition; documented in kick compendiums. [1]

Competition Record

Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing. Appears occasionally in TKD and point-fighting karate tournaments. [1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Sign in to suggest an image.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Crescent Kick mechanics modified for outward ghost groin kick variant
Joints Involved — Hip, knee, ankle — specific to crescent kick trajectory
Force Vector — Modified crescent kick trajectory
Leverage Principle — Hip rotation and leg extension generate force along the crescent kick arc

Position & Entry

From fighting stance — Chamber and execute the outward ghost groin kick
From close range — Adapted version for tight distance

Variants

High variant
Mid variant
Low variant

Videos

No videos yet

Help build this encyclopedia by suggesting a relevant video.

Sign in to suggest a video.

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Sign in to suggest a course.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

6
High6/10

Crescent Kick variant with standard striking power

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal
— Unified MMA — Groin strikes prohibited
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF
WBC/Boxing — Prohibited — below the belt {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Prohibited
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF
Kyokushin — Prohibited {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF
— ITF — Prohibited
ITF Competition RulesPDF
— WAKO — Prohibited
WAKO Competition RulesPDF
K-1/GLORY — Prohibited {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Prohibited
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Master the standard crescent kick before attempting the outward ghost groin kick (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010)
✓Practise with pad work for targeting accuracy

Common Mistakes

!Attempting without solid crescent kick foundation
!Poor balance
!Insufficient power generation

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Feint → Outward Ghost Groin Kick → Follow-up combination

Sources & References

Primary Source

Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010)

1Book[1] De Bremaeker, M. and Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks: 89 Kicks from Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Others. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4.
2Citation[1] De Bremaeker, M. and Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks: 89 Kicks from Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Others. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4.

[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010)

Community

Athletics

Requires solid crescent kick foundation

Good balance and coordination

Notes

Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 6.5. A deceptive crescent kick that feints one trajectory then redirects to the groin — the 'ghost' motion disguises the actual target. Self-defense technique. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Outward Ghost Groin Kick work?

The Outward Ghost Groin Kick is a deceptive crescent-arc kick that feints toward the groin before redirecting outward, exploiting the opponent's protective reflex. Like its inward counterpart (the Phantom Groin Kick), it uses the groin-protection instinct as a tactical weapon.

Where does the Outward Ghost Groin Kick come from?

The Outward Ghost Groin Kick is a specialised variant documented in cross-style kicking methodology. It represents an advanced development of the standard crescent kick.

Is the Outward Ghost Groin Kick legal in competition?

Unified MMA: banned — Groin strikes prohibited; WBC/Boxing: banned — Prohibited — below the belt; WKF: banned — Prohibited; Kyokushin: banned — Prohibited; WT: banned — Prohibited; ITF: banned — Prohibited; WAKO: banned — Prohibited; K: banned — 1/GLORY — Prohibited; IFMA: banned — Prohibited

How dangerous is the Outward Ghost Groin Kick?

Danger rating 6/10. Crescent Kick variant with standard striking power

How do I set up the Outward Ghost Groin Kick?

The standard setup chain: Feint → Outward Ghost Groin Kick → Follow-up combination.

How do I defend against the Outward Ghost Groin Kick?

Standard counters include: Step inside range / Block and counter / Low kick to support leg.

What are the variants of the Outward Ghost Groin Kick?

Common variants: High variant; Mid variant; Low variant.

How effective is the Outward Ghost Groin Kick in competition?

Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing.

What are common mistakes when doing the Outward Ghost Groin Kick?

Top errors to watch for: Attempting without solid crescent kick foundation / Poor balance / Insufficient power generation.

What are other names for the Outward Ghost Groin Kick?

The Outward Ghost Groin Kick is also known as Autowādo Gōsuto Guroin Kikku, Deceptive Outside Groin Kick.

outwardghostgroinkickcrescent kickstrike