Side Kick which way for you

[terryl965]

I was so amazed at the converstation over the back kick I wanted to see evryone views about the sidekick, do you step behind when throwing it or are you a slide in type of thrower or do you do both?
Do you hit with the heel first or with the blade?
Terry

 

[jfarnsworth]

Very rarely have I used a crossover sidekick. The way I looked at that kick was to the point you hurt your attacker and now you're looking to finish them from standing. It's telegraphed too much. In tournaments I used a front foot sliding sidekick focused on the heel. However if there's only a little bit of room the I would certainly use the knife edge.

 

[Shu2jack]

When board breaking I step behind because I find that I can generate the most power. When sparring I "slide" when using the side kick because I find it faster to execute.

No matter how I execute my side kick, I always strike with the heel.

 

[terryl965]

Well so far we are all in agreement about the sidekick using the heel, but I have find coming off the line in the beginning with a step behind has worked for me because nobody is expecting that kick.
Terry

 

[TigerWoman]

Well, the side kick has alot of variables. Those are two of them. Step side, hop side, jump side, spin side, back kick (also a side), even jump back is a side. Same position, toes down, heel in. But I also slide in, too, which is a hopping kick close to the ground. TW

 

[Shu2jack]

If you time anything well, it works. My instructor uses a full chamber for his side kick. He takes his knee and pulls it into his chest as far as he can before launching it. You know it is coming, you can see him prepare the dang thing. The problem is that he times it so well when you spar him that you can't avoid it. You know it is coming, but you also know you are going to hurt even if you cover up.

 

[mantis]

I was so amazed at the converstation over the back kick I wanted to see evryone views about the sidekick, do you step behind when throwing it or are you a slide in type of thrower or do you do both?
Do you hit with the heel first or with the blade?
Terry

im loving those kick threads you are posting. I love TKD kicks.
i take a side step towards the opponent and deliver the kick to chest or stomach with the heel (i used to be able to deliver to forehead or neck, back when i used to be flexible)
we also have a similar kick called the "propping kick". it is exactly like the side kick but you are shooting downward towards the bottom of the knee to dislocate the knee. there's a slight difference. you are bringing your knee to your stomach (we're taught to go into a crane stance to emphasize this concept) and then you sink your weight down as you hit and go into what's called a "collapsing stance". this will use the energy from your kick and your weight to kill the opponent's knee and put him to the ground. very effective, especially when mixed with grabs.
i kinda wanted to explain this in the "shin strikes" thread! oh well..

 

[terryl965]

If you time anything well, it works. My instructor uses a full chamber for his side kick. He takes his knee and pulls it into his chest as far as he can before launching it. You know it is coming, you can see him prepare the dang thing. The problem is that he times it so well when you spar him that you can't avoid it. You know it is coming, but you also know you are going to hurt even if you cover up.

You know Shujack I to bring it up to my chest so I can generate all the power from the hip as I release. I guess when you been doing these for so long you just know when you can and when you can't do it that way.
Terry

 

[Shu2jack]

You know Shujack I to bring it up to my chest so I can generate all the power from the hip as I release. I guess when you been doing these for so long you just know when you can and when you can't do it that way.
Terry

Yep, it depends on your physical abilities and skill level. My instructor has been training in TKD for 25+ years and is very good at what he does. He can do what he does because of his sense of timing, knowing when to (or not to) do something.

One of his other students is a college student who runs track for their team. He has amazing athletic ability. He doesn't prepare his side kick much. Instead he kind of "flings" it out there. But he is so fast and has such explosive power with the kick that despite the lack of chamber he could K.O. someone with the kick. He once dropped me with such a kick.

I, on the other hand, take a middle of the road approach. I will lift my lead leg straight up and that is as far as I will chamber it. I don't pull it back all the way like my instructor and I don't "flick" it out like that other student. I generally don't like side kicks, but it works for me.

 

[terryl965]

Yep, it depends on your physical abilities and skill level. My instructor has been training in TKD for 25+ years and is very good at what he does. He can do what he does because of his sense of timing, knowing when to (or not to) do something.

One of his other students is a college student who runs track for their team. He has amazing athletic ability. He doesn't prepare his side kick much. Instead he kind of "flings" it out there. But he is so fast and has such explosive power with the kick that despite the lack of chamber he could K.O. someone with the kick. He once dropped me with such a kick.

I, on the other hand, take a middle of the road approach. I will lift my lead leg straight up and that is as far as I will chamber it. I don't pull it back all the way like my instructor and I don't "flick" it out like that other student. I generally don't like side kicks, but it works for me.

Shujack I tell all of my student here is the proper way and if you can make it work with a little teaking then teak it to there way so it is easier as long as it can be deliver with power and not get you hurt.
Terry

 

[mantis]

so sir
what happens to be an easy kick to execute that is effective?

 

[Shu2jack]

I don't believe there is a "proper" way to do a kick. I think there is a base point that every instructor teaches to every student and from there it is up to the student, along with the guidence of their instructor, to find how to make the technique work for them.

Good posts Terryl!

 

[mantis]

I don't believe there is a "proper" way to do a kick. I think there is a base point that every instructor teaches to every student and from there it is up to the student, along with the guidence of their instructor, to find how to make the technique work for them.

Good posts Terryl!

maybe no "proper" way, but there's definitely an "ideal" or a "most effective" way to do it. i think
(and yes, you may disagree with me )

 

[Shu2jack]

maybe no "proper" way, but there's definitely an "ideal" or a "most effective" way to do it. i think
(and yes, you may disagree with me )

Of course there is an "ideal" or "most effective" way of doing something. But what that is depends on the person, the situation, and what you are doing or trying to do.

Early this year I tore muscle from my right thigh right from the bone. Several specialists advised against surgery. How I kick now is slightly different than how I used to kick. What I do now is most effective for my current abilities and skill level. Just like how a white belt learns the kicks and trains their body, along with figuring out how to execute the kicks that feel right for their body, I had to take the "proper" way of doing the kicks and "relearn" how to execute them.

So I may not be using the most efficent way of kicking, but my effectiveness has not been reduced.

 

[karatekid1975]

Man, Terry, you are kicking some butt with these thought provoking threads. Good job *bows*

Anyways, for me, it depends on the situation. I always strike with my heel, but as for set-up, it depends on if I'm sparring, breaking, kicking the air ... But even that doesn't matter. I have done breaking with a front leg side kick, regular side kick, step behind side kick, flying side kick, ect. The same with sparring.

In sparring, it depends on when and if theres an opening, and if the timing is right. And what my partner is throwing at me. I use my front leg side kick as a "jab" or to stop my partner in their tracks, or I use the rear leg side kick to "power" them away from me, or to I perry and kick them in the ribs ... it all depends on them, the timing, ect.

 

[hong kong fooey]

for me the Step behind sidekick is more powerfull but I always get into trouble because my instructer wants us to do step across. I don't know what the big difference is but I always get into trouble for using the step behind side kick

 

[Gemini]

Side kick is one of the 3 basic kicks in TKD. I can teach it from a technical standpoint, but as an effective kick, mine is garbage and I stay away from it. I prefer to roll it over into a back kick for effect.

Shu2jack - you brought up a good point. You want to evade a side kick, not cover and take it. As with a back kick, your opponent will be more than happy to target you arms, even with an enemic side kick like mine will cause some notble damage. Those with effective side kicks will own you in a hurry if you allow them to make contact.

 

[bluemtn]

I was so amazed at the converstation over the back kick I wanted to see evryone views about the sidekick, do you step behind when throwing it or are you a slide in type of thrower or do you do both?
Do you hit with the heel first or with the blade?
Terry

In class, we mainly do the step across- and try to focus on kicking with the blade of the foot; however, I've done all you've mentioned in a class.

 

[FearlessFreep]

Well so far we are all in agreement about the sidekick using the heel

No we're not

But I agree with TigerWoman. There are so many ways to throw a sidekick that which variation I use depends on the situation. Time, positioning, etc...

 

[Laborn]

I jump, i dont step, when im going to do a powerful side kick, i jump. Depends whyat target im hitting, if im for instance going for his throat lol, ill use the blade. If going for his chest, ill use the heel, heel does ALOT of damage to the chest hehe.

If going for his shin, i wont use the heel cause more likely ill miss or ill rub off. Blade seems so much better for shins/knee attacks.

Just think of targets to hit, and think what weapon would be more useful. I use to have someone throw these kicks at me, to see what hurts more.