Complete Kicking (9 page)

SIDE KICK

purpose

Side kick is a powerful kick that transmits the weight of your entire body into the target. It is an effective weapon to stop an incoming opponent by pushing his knee joint or kicking his stomach. It is also useful as an initiative attack to push an opponent backward and then throw a powerful follow-up kick.

key points

Pivot your body and chamber your knee so that your kicking leg is perpendicular to the vertical target line before kicking. Pivoting and alignment of your hips, legs and shoulders are paramount.

striking area

Blade, bottom of the heel, bottom of the foot

targets

1. knee

2. thigh

3. pelvic crease

4. shin

5. ankle

6. ribcage

7. stomach

8. armpit

9. neck

how to

1. From fighting stance, shift your weight to the front leg.

2. Bring your knee up, pointing at the target.

3. Pivot your standing foot so your body is oriented laterally to the target. Be sure to fully pivot your hip so that your kicking foot, buttock, shoulder and head are aligned.

4. Snap your knee and shoot the blade of your foot into the target. Align your toes lower than your heel for maximum power. Keep your head up and your head, shoulder, hip, knee and foot on one plane.

5. Withdraw the foot quickly after the kick and repose.

FRONT VIEW of side kick: notice the kicking foot, hip, standing foot, shoulder and head are aligned and the arms cover the chest and lower torso.

variations

You can use side kick to hit any target: low, middle or high, standing or on the ground. The key is to kick quickly, but to align your body correctly no matter what the situation and penetrate the target deeply with your kicking foot. In a self-defense situation, it’s acceptable and even helpful to place one or both hands on the ground for support and added power.

High side kick with the right arm stretched out along with the kicking leg for balance

High side kick has 3 key elements: 1. a strong support leg; 2. a flexible kicking leg; 3. strong ab muscles to stabilize the torso. To kick at your maximum height, for demonstration purposes or to test yourself, it helps to drop your torso (as shown here) while keeping your eye on the target.

applications

The side kick is popular for self-defense and board breaking demonstrations for its dynamic and aesthetic impression. But far more impressive than the look of a crisp high side kick is its destructive capacity in self-defense and fighting. With good timing and distance, one perfectly executed side kick can knock an opponent out of the ring or to his knees.

SPORT APPLICATIONS

A high side kick is a good counterattack when an opponent steps in to attack.

A middle section side kick is a good way to push an opponent backward to create additional distance in sparring.

Using the heel of your foot to kick to the face of an unguarded opponent can result in a knockout.

SELF-DEFENSE APPLICATIONS

When an opponent lunges toward you, kick the inside of his knee to stop his advance.