My problem with kicks are the same issues we all have with ranged: it's only bad when you're forced to chase them. This is why the most common kick fanatics use longer weapons. Currently, the easiest way for me to counter kicks is to stand still when I sense a kick coming, and always work the angles. Still, it's not always enough when I'm using a one-hander or other short weapon. I imagine people like Phantasmal have no defense against punters besides backing up or surprise attacks.
At first, I experimented with chamber kicking reliably. I got to the point where I could do it about as well as I could normally chamber, but the problem is that it starts to dominate the fight. The only tell the kick has is the left foot twitch, and keeping your eye on that takes your attention from all the other tricks in any fighter's sleeve. The moment your opponent realizes what you're doing, he's going to focus on taking you down sans savate.
A return to the old kick, or some way to limit the area of effect/hang factor of the kick would prevent this muay thai menace, though this might turn one-handers into flavor of the month post Van Damme nerf.
