Types Of Kicks

Ever since it began as a martial art style in Korea, taekwondo has increasingly gained popularity across the globe. Apart from being the national sport of South Korea, taekwondo found itself a place in the International Olympic Sports in 2000. But did you know that the word taekwondo is a juxtaposition of three different words? Yes, it comes from the three Korean words, “tae” meaning “foot”, “kwon” signifying “fist or hand”, and “do” representing “way”. In short, the anglicized version of taekwondo means “the way of striking/breaking with the foot and hand”. Just like karate and kung fu, taekwondo is a dynamic martial art form that centers on powerful and fast kicks. Further, to master this art, one has to learn scores of impressive kicks, some of which are listed in the lines that follow. Browse on further to gain information about different types of taekwondo kicks.

 

 

The most basic kick in taekwondo is the front kick which also serves as the basic form for other types of kicks. Start off with standing in the guarding position, with your hands by your face and raising your feet till you are on their balls. Pick one knee up such that the knee is higher than your hip, with the toes pointing downwards. While maintaining this position, kick your leg out quickly with a jerk.

 

Get into the guarding position, while keeping your kicking leg back. Place your hands by your face for protection. Spin away from the target, turning on your non-kicking foot. Immediately, bring your kicking leg up to your chest and kick out at the target, attacking him with your heel. Come back to the starting position.

 

Amongst all the basic kicks, the side kick is the most powerful one. Face sideways, keeping your rear foot facing backwards. Bring the knee to your chest, ensuring that the heel and knee are parallel to the ground. Kick out and maintain the position for about a while at the maximum point of extension. Return to the starting position.

 

Considered to be one of the most difficult kicks to learn, the reverse side kick becomes much easier once you are familiar with it. Position yourself in the guarding stance, placing your hands by your face for self-protection. Step up your left foot over the right foot and spin. Bring your right knee to your chest and kick out when you face your opponent. Make contact with your opponent with your heel. Bring back your leg back to the starting position.

 

Stand on your non-kicking leg. Bring up your kicking leg at 90 degrees angle. Face your hands to your face and prepare your arms for an attack. With your hips leading, turn towards your opponent and swing your leg at him in a circular motion. Kick outwards, making contact with the top of your foot. Return back to your defensive position.

 

Stand with your knee at chest length. Whip your leg and kick outwards, while spinning your body. Aim at the abdomen and/or solar plexus of the opponent with the heel of the foot. For a bolder act, try kicking your opponent at face level.

 

A crescent kick is executed similar to a front snap kick. However, while kicking, you rotate your leg in a slight crescent motion. Kick upwards using your right leg, moving towards the right and back down in a circular crescent motion. Smack the opponent’s face with the side of your foot before you land down to the starting position.

 

Bring your hands to your face for protection. Lift your knee to your chest and shoot your leg backwards as you spin, aiming the abdomen, solar plexus, throat, or face of the opponent. Spin to your right if you execute the kick with your right leg and vice versa.