Didn't really want to label this as a bug, cause it might be intended, but here goes.
Kicking is a very powerful thing, especially in a 1 vs 1. A simple press to a button to an opponent that gets close, gives you a free hit. When someone masters this, it gets really strong, look at Hearst. Very strong things need a counter. In the case of kicking its stabbing. Someone who kicks can't block down, so if you skillfully anticipate the kick you do a stab. There, you save yourself from getting kicked and hit the enemy.
At least so I thought. Turns out you can actually block stabs if you block down before you start the kick. I duelled Hearst, anticipated the kick correctly three times, he blocked two times during his kick. Which leaves a very strong feature, kicking, without a reliable counter. Which, when combined with a long weapon and good range control, renders it OP as fuck. Again, look at Hearst.
So I hope the devs can disable someone from down blocking while kicking completely, and not just in some occasions. So spamming kicks is not something that can be done with little disadvantage.
/QQ