Calf Kick

  • Striking
  • Kicks
  • intermediate
  • Orthodox stance
  • 4 steps

A low roundhouse that chops the shin into the outside of the calf, attacking the peroneal nerve to buckle the leg. Also known as the Outside calf kick or the Peroneal kick. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 4 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Set your stance

    Hands up, weight ready to shift onto the lead leg.

    Calf Kick step 1 of 4: Set your stance
  2. 02

    Step and pivot

    Step out and pivot the lead foot to open the hips, timing it as their weight settles onto the lead leg.

    Calf Kick step 2 of 4: Step and pivot
  3. 03

    Chop into the calf

    Whip the rear shin low and down into the outside of their calf, just below the knee, swinging through with the hips.

    Calf Kick step 3 of 4: Chop into the calf
  4. 04

    Retract and reset

    Snap the leg back and return to your stance so it cannot be caught.

    Calf Kick step 4 of 4: Retract and reset

Key details

  • Target the outside of the calf just below the knee, over the peroneal nerve.
  • Land when their weight is on that leg so it cannot lift away.
  • Strike with the shin and swing through, not at, the calf.

Common mistakes

  • Kicking the shin or knee instead of the calf muscle.
  • Throwing it into an unweighted leg that simply lifts.
  • Telegraphing by dropping the hand before the kick.

Related techniques

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