Axe Kick
- Striking
- Kicks
- advanced
- Orthodox stance
- 4 steps
A kick that swings the leg high and drops the heel straight down onto the head or collarbone. Also known as the Hammer kick or the Downward kick. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 4 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the axe kick against an opponent who stands tall at the edge of kicking range, or one who leans forward to avoid your kicks. Show a teep or a low feint first so they look down. It works as a surprise, not as a regular lead.
Step by step
- 01
Set your stance
Square enough to lift the leg straight up.
- 02
Swing the leg up high
Lift the kicking leg up high in front of the target, as straight as your flexibility allows.
- 03
Drop the heel down
Drop the heel straight down onto the target, using gravity and a hip snap to drive it through.
- 04
Retract and reset
Bring the leg back to your stance under control.
Key details
- Raise the leg high before chopping so the heel falls onto the target.
- Strike with the heel, not the sole.
- Stay tall over the base leg to keep balance.
Common mistakes
- Not raising the leg high enough to drop down.
- Falling backward as the leg comes up.
- Telegraphing the high lift without a setup.
Common counters
The lift is slow, so opponents step inside the leg and punch or clinch before the heel drops. Others lean away and counter as you land. Lift and drop it in one fast motion.
How to drill it
Your partner holds a mitt flat at head height, face up, as the target. Do two rounds of slow kicks to find the height, then two rounds at speed, landing back in your stance after every rep.
Related techniques
- Rear Roundhouse KickStrikingA whipping rear-leg kick that drives the shin through the target via full hip rotation.
- Inside Low KickStrikingA fast lead-leg kick that snaps up into the inner thigh to buckle the opponent’s base.
- Teep (Push Kick)StrikingA straight push-kick with the lead leg that controls distance and stops forward pressure.
- Side KickStrikingA linear thrust kick driving the heel straight into the target with the body bladed sideways.
- Spinning Back KickStrikingA spinning thrust kick that drives the heel straight back into the target like a mule kick.
- Spinning Hook KickStrikingA spinning kick that whips the heel horizontally across the target at head height.
Train it with the AI coach