In hapkido we have a large number of kicking techniques, ranging from sweeps and kicks from the ground up to and including spinning kicks, skip kicks, jump techniques, etc.
My question here is in respect to some of what we think of as the more advanced spinning kicks (e.g., Spinning Heel Kick, hook kicks, sit-down-backspinning-heel-kicks).
There are three reasons commonly given for practicing these in my school:
- Tradition (it's part of the art)
- In case someone ever uses one on you, you'll know what it looks like and be prepared to counter it.
- Improves your balance and muscle coordination.
It is explicitly stated by my instructor that you are unlikely to ever actually use the advanced spinning kicks in reality (reality here being defined as "in self defense situations," not in a ring or a duel).
I see the first one: There's more to a martial art than what is currently considered practical. The second one I consider a low-margin game considering how few people seem to use them, though I understand it (e.g., if you've never seen a passata soto, you can end up quite dead to it before realizing how to counter it).
I am wondering, however, if there is any validity to the last one or if there might be other reasons that we haven't discussed for training in these techniques?