Tae Kwon-Do Secrets

Kicking Secrets: Hook Kick (Front Leg, Moving In)

Developed by American’s primarily for point-style fighting, the Front Leg Hook Kick is a powerful kicking technique as well as an effective sparring / counter attack technique. The Hook Kick can be used as a “fake kick”, commonly followed by a turning kick, as well as a block, making it a very versatile move. Because…

Kicking Secrets: Side Kick

Perhaps the most widely used as well as the most powerful kick is the Side Kick. Every martial art discipline has some form of the Side Kick as part of its basic system. This kick is as versatile as it is common, being used as both an offensive and defensive technique. Strength is generated in…

Kicking Secrets: Twisting Kick

The Twisting Kick is a difficult kick for the beginner – and is not performed until you become a higher grade colour belt. However, it is a fantastic kick to use against a sudden and unexpected attack. Because of the attacking angle, this kick isn’t as powerful as some other kicks, yet this kick still…

Kicking Secrets: The Axe Kick

In a modern Tae Kwon-Do championship fight, such as the olympics, the competitors wear chest protectors – which restricts movement. It was because of this lack of mobility that the Axe Kick was developed in Korea during the 1970’s. The Axe Kick is now the most uniquely comprehensive fighting kick in Korea, being thrown out…

Kicking Secrets: Crescent Kicks (Inside to Outside)

A very powerful attacking tool, the Crescent Kick gets its power from the sartorius, illicus and tensor fascia latae muscles as well as the hamstring and groin area. As effective a stretch as it is a kick, the Crescent Kick is a tremendous aid to increasing balance. The practical application of the Crescent Kick is…

Kicking Secrets: Pushing Kick

In between the Axe Kick and Front Snap Kick is the Pushing Kick. The Pushing Kick, whose action is just as it sounds – a solid pushing motion with the bottom of the foot, has been developed and used to the great advantage lately by the Olympic Tae Kwon-Do stylists who see it as an…

Kicking Secrets: Front Snap Kick

The Front Snap Kick is a reasonably easy technique to throw, making it both fast and versatile. This kick is performed by lifting the quadriceps and simultaneously throwing the kick out using your knee. This kick is performed 2 different ways, for example, the kick performed in Do San Tul is for closer distance than…

Kicking Secrets: Front Rising Kick

The Front Rising Kick is the first kick you will learn in Tae Kwon-Do – often referred to as “The Leg Raise Exercise”. This kick is the one of the most powerful kicks – if performed correctly, and it will also sharpen your other basic kicks, hence why it is performed first by the beginner.…