Title: Low Kick: Steps, Key Details & Mistakes | DARCE

Canonical: https://darce.app/techniques/striking/low-kick

> Low Kick. A rear roundhouse aimed at the thigh or calf to chop the base out from under the opponent.

# Low Kick

- Striking
- Kicks
- fundamental
- Orthodox stance
- 4 steps

A rear roundhouse aimed at the thigh or calf to chop the base out from under the opponent. Also known as the Leg kick, the Calf kick or the Thigh 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

Throw the low kick when the opponent puts their weight on the lead leg, especially as they step forward or plant to punch. Set it up with a jab or cross that draws their eyes up. Land it early and often, because each one slows their movement for the rest of the round.

## Step by step

1. 01

   ### Set your stance

   Hands up, weight ready to shift.

2. 02

   ### Step and pivot

   Step out and pivot the lead foot to open the hips, just as for a high kick.

3. 03

   ### Chop the shin down

   Whip the rear shin down into the outside of the thigh or the calf, swinging through with the hips.

4. 04

   ### Retract and reset

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

## Key details

- Aim to swing through the leg, not just touch it.
- Pivot the base foot so the hip drives the shin down.
- Repeated low kicks compromise their mobility, bank them.

## Common mistakes

- Kicking with the foot instead of the shin.
- Standing flat-footed with no pivot.
- Telegraphing by dropping the hand first.

## Common counters

The main defences are the shin check, stepping the lead leg back, and a straight punch while your leg is in the air. If your rear hand drops as you kick, their lead hook lands on the open side of your jaw. Keep your hands up and strike with the shin.

## How to drill it

Your partner throws a slow jab; slip it and answer with a low kick into a Thai pad held against their thigh. Do three rounds of two minutes, then three rounds of low kicks on the lower half of the heavy bag.

## Related techniques

- [Rear Roundhouse Kick Striking A whipping rear-leg kick that drives the shin through the target via full hip rotation.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/rear-roundhouse)
- [Switch Kick Striking A lead-leg roundhouse set up by a quick stance switch to generate rear-leg power.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/switch-kick)
- [Calf Kick Striking A low roundhouse that chops the shin into the outside of the calf, attacking the peroneal nerve to buckle the leg.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/calf-kick)
- [Inside Low Kick Striking A fast lead-leg kick that snaps up into the inner thigh to buckle the opponent’s base.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/inside-low-kick)
- [Teep (Push Kick) Striking A straight push-kick with the lead leg that controls distance and stops forward pressure.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/teep)
- [Spinning Hook Kick Striking A spinning kick that whips the heel horizontally across the target at head height.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/spinning-hook-kick)

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