Kicks
1 - Basic Kicks
Front Kick
The front kick (ap chaki) strikes directly to the front, usually to the middle section. The striking surface is the ball of your foot. Position your foot by pointing your foot and pulling your toes back. Lift your kicking leg high, bending your knee at a 90-degree angle. Your leg should be slightly in front of your body. From this tight chamber position, snap your leg forward, striking with the ball of your foot.
Side Kick
The side kick (yup chaki) uses the bottom of your heel and the outer or knife edge of your foot to strike. Your target is directly in front of you, but you pivot so that your side faces the target before you deliver the strike. Cock your kicking leg so that your knee is bent at least 90 degrees. Keep your foot tight by making it parallel to the floor. The higher and tighter the chamber position, the more powerful the kick. pivot on your supporting foot 180 degrees so that your toes point away from the target. Snap your kick leg out, extending your knee. Lean slightly over your supporting leg to maintain your balance. Strike your target with the heel of your foot.
Either the front or the back leg side kick can be used. The front leg kick is faster, but the back leg kick is more powerful.
Roundhouse Kick
The roundhouse kick (doll rye chaki) strikes a target in front of you, but comes from the side, moving in an arc from outside to inside. The striking surface is the top of the foot, the instep. Lift your kicking leg from the ground and bring it in an arc from the side to the front. Your knee should be bent 90 degrees and should face your target. Your supporting foot should pivot 180 degrees so that your toes point away from the target. As you bring your kick leg around, the side of your leg should be parallel to the ground. Sweeping forward, snap your foot out, striking the target with your instep.
Reverse Kick
Most kicks can be done in reverse. This means that instead of kicking a target directly, you turn a half circle, then deliver the strike. You continue to rotate until you return to your original position.
The reverse side kick (dwet chaki) is similar to a side kick that your leg chambers the same way and the striking surface of the foot is the same. The difference is that your body makes a complete revolution while striking. The foot closest to the target is the pivot or support foot. Lift the leg farthest from the target, chambering it tightly as you would a side kick. Instead of pivoting to the front and kicking, however, spin to the back. Lean over your supporting foot to maintain your balance. Keep your kicking leg parallel to the floor. As soon as your back is to the target, turn to see the target and then strike with your foot. The heel is the striking surface. Then rechamber the kick and return to your starting position. This type of kick is extremely powerful.
2 - Intermediate Kicks
Double Kick
One of the best ways to catch your opponent off guard is the use a double kick. What this simply means is that you strike with a kick then, without putting your foot down, strike again. A double roundhouse kick, then, would be two roundhouse kicks in a row without putting your foot down. This tactic is especially good to use when the first kick is to the middle section and the second kick is to the high section.
*Tip*
Although double kicks are usually more effective when they are done quickly--two fast kicks right in a row--smart fighters will sometimes anticipate this tactic. Instead of dropping their hands to guard their middle section they'll keep their high section guarded. Instead of letting a smart opponent frustrate you, Practice double kicks with a pause between them. This slight delay may cause the opponent to reconsider his strategy
Crescent Kicks
Inside-Outside Crescent Kick
Lift your kicking leg from the ground. Sweep it forward, coming slightly across your body, and swing it as far upward as you can. Continue the kick by sweeping to the side in a circular movement. The outer edge of the foot is the striking surface and should be used to strike a high target area.
Outside-Inside Crescent Kick
This kick is performed the same as the inside-outside kick, only it travels in the opposite direction. Lift your kicking leg from the ground. Sweep to the side, bringing your leg as high as possible. Pull your leg slightly across your body. The inner edge of the foot is the striking surface and should be used to strike a high target area.
Axe Kick
The axe kick is a crescent kick modified slightly for more power. It can be performed either outside-inside or inside-outside. The only difference is the direction of the kick. In the axe kick, the striking surface is the heel of the foot. As the crescent kick reaches the top of its arc, pull your leg downward sharply and quickly, striking the top of the target with the back of your heel.
Hooking Kick
The hooking kick (ap hurya chaki) strikes with the back of the heel. It is sometimes called the reverse roundhouse. The kicking foot travels past the target, then snaps back to the target, making a hooking motion. Lift your kicking leg and chamber it as you would for a side kick. Extend your leg and straighten your knee, kicking past the target. Then, snap your foot to the back, through the target, with a hooking motion. The back of your heel strikes the target.
3 - Advanced Kicks
Jump Side Kick
To perform a jump side kick (eidan yup chaki), stand in a horse stance. Your body and feet should face forward, and your knees should be bent as close to 90 degrees as possible. Your target is to the side, so turn your head to see the target. Move your supporting leg in so that it almost touches the leg of your kicking leg. Chamber your kicking leg by picking it up high and cocking the knee 90 degrees. Kick straight out to the side.
Jump Front Kick
The jump front kick (eidan ap chaki) simply adds a jump to the front kick. Stand with your feet close together, facing the target. Crouch so that your knee bends about 45 degrees. The rest of your body should remain upright. Spring from the crouch, jumping into the air. As your feet leave the ground, chamber your leg and kick out with the ball of your foot.
Jump Reverse Kick
To begin the jump reverse kick (eidan dwet chaki), Stand in a strong fighting stance. Bend your knees slightly. As you jump, chamber your back leg and kick the target with your heel.
*Tip*
Use the jump reverse kick to counter roundhouse kicks and reverse punches. It is very effective against opponents who charge in; a couple of reverse kicks will convince them to stay out of range.
Jump Roundhouse Kick
The jump roundhouse kick (eidan doll rye chaki) starts facing the target. Crouch so that your knees bend about 45 degrees. As you spring from the crouch, push off with your supporting foot, pivoting slightly to position your kick correctly. Chamber your kicking leg and sweep with your kick, striking with the top of your foot.
Jump Hooking Kick
The jump hooking kick (eidan hurya chaki) is performed in a similar way to the jump side kick. With your supporting leg, step toward your kicking leg. Lift your kicking leg and perform a hooking kick. Since your opponent may be expecting a side kick, it will often catch him off guard.
Reverse Jump Roundhouse/Hooking Kick
The jump roundhouse or hooking kick can be made into a reverse jump roundhouse/hooking kick by adding a rotation to the back and then striking. This technique works well to surprise an opponent. They will probably be expecting a reverse side kick and will be unable to defend against a reverse jump kick. However this technique requires considerable skill and should be practiced repeatedly and mastered before attempted in sparring.
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