Hi guys hopefully you can shed some light on this without me having to create a new thread

Is throwing low kicks to the calf for example a good way to sweep someone coming towards you in a self defence situation, or would I be better off doing a front teep to the knee/stomach

I'm a relatively heavy and whenever I low kick the standing bag(heavy) it moves, so I imagine kicking someone like that would send them flying

If I'm kicking a heavy bag without issue, does this translate to kicking a humans legs safely? If not can you light spar safely without shin pads and practice leg kicks?