Martial art - side kick

General information

In Asia martial art has one of the longest documented histories. There are many different styles, like kung fu, aikido, judo, jujutsu and many more. The one thing in common are techniques to use your hands for punches and your feet for kicks. The side kick is a very effective technique to defend yourself. It is mentioned in nearly every martial art but under different names. The side kick is one of the first movements you learn when practicing martial arts. There are many modifications to it but this text will just describe the general movement.

Description of the side kick

The side kick is a very dangerous und effective method to crucify your opponent. It is a complex movement. You have to be well balanced during the kick, concentrate as well on breathing as on the movement. Y ou have to be fast to be able to put much power into the kick and that your opposer do not realise your plan.

You will find a step by step description for beginners which do not include the breathing below.

Step1 Face forward and spread your feet about shoulder-width plus half apart, one behind the other. Point your feet straight ahead and grip the floor with your toes.

Step2 Bend your knees and ankles forward and keep your back straight as you press your knees outward, as if riding on a horseback.

Step3 Keep your feet facing forward as you lean your upper body to the side, looking in the direction where you are going to kick.

Step4 Raise your fists to protect your midsection. (see Picture1)

Step5 The front foot is the supporting leg and turns 45 degrees away from the direction of the kick.

Step6 Pull up the knee of the back leg toward the chest as close as possible. Keep the instep close to the leg as you pull up. Keep the toes of the kicking foot pulled back with the heel forward when striking the surface.

Step7 Rotate the upper body and hips away from the direction of the kick while thrusting the kicking leg out directly to the side at the target. (see Picture2)

Step8 Retract your kicking leg immediately following the strike.

Step9 Return to your original position to defend or strike again. (see Picture3)

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Picture1: stable stand

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Picture2: side kick

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Picture3: stable stand again

How to learn the side kick considering the dynamical system theory

To solve the movement problem you should make more or less natural moves. You should not concentrate on the movement on its own, you should just do it and get the experience. The side kick is split up in two movements. The degrees of freedom are limited for both exercises. For good training you will need an assistant, who will help you during the movement. You can also alternate the exercises with him/her. You also can do all the exercises by your own without a partner.

The knee booster

For this exercise you need a ball and a rolled-up mat or something similar to that. You have to stand in front of your partner and he or she is holding the ball with stretched arms in breast height. If you are alone you have to hold the ball even with one or two hands, depends on the size of the ball in front of your breast. Put the rolled-up mat on the floor between your legs, which will guarantee that you put your foot back to the right position.

One foot has to be in front and the other behind the rolled-up mat and you should stand well balanced. (see Picture4) If you have a partner to assist you raise your fists for defence, otherwise hold the ball in front of your breast. Then move your weight to the standing foot, which is the front foot and the knee of the other foot to your chest and the ball, which you or your partner hold (see Picture5). You have to try to kick the ball as high as possible (see Picture6).

If you have a basket ball and a basket, try to throw the ball into the basket. If you have a volley ball and a net, try to kick the ball over the net. After kicking the ball go back into your starting position without touching the rolled-up mat on the ground (see Picture7).

Try to change the kicking foot from regularly. You or your partner should increase the height where you or he/she is holding the ball from time to time.

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