Side Kick
- Striking
- Kicks
- intermediate
- Orthodox stance
- 4 steps
A linear thrust kick driving the heel straight into the target with the body bladed sideways. Also known as the Side thrust 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
- 01
Set your stance
Prepare to turn the hip over sideways.
- 02
Chamber sideways
Lift the knee across your body and turn your hip so the kicking leg is cocked sideways toward the target.
- 03
Thrust the heel
Drive the leg straight out, striking with the heel as you lean your upper body away to add reach and power.
- 04
Retract and reset
Re-chamber and set the foot back down into your stance.
Key details
- Strike with the heel, toes pointed down and slightly away.
- Blade the body and lean away to align hip, knee and heel.
- Keep your eyes on the target over your lead shoulder.
Common mistakes
- Pushing with the toes instead of thrusting the heel.
- Squaring the hips instead of blading.
- Dropping the hands during the lean.
Related techniques
- Rear Roundhouse KickStrikingA whipping rear-leg kick that drives the shin through the target via full hip rotation.
- Switch KickStrikingA lead-leg roundhouse set up by a quick stance switch to generate rear-leg power.
- Low KickStrikingA rear roundhouse aimed at the thigh or calf to chop the base out from under the opponent.
- Calf KickStrikingA low roundhouse that chops the shin into the outside of the calf, attacking the peroneal nerve to buckle the leg.
- 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.
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