Taekwondo Kicks - Free Video & Written Instructions

Taekwondo is known for its powerful kicks. Therefore to master Taekwondo, we will help you learn all of
the Taekwondo kicks below. Each of these pages provides free video and/or written instructions that will
help you to learn these Taekwondo kicks. If you already know the kicking basics then visit our kicking
drills and kicking accuracy pages to further improve your Taekwondo kicking techniques. Also visit our
flexibility page on how to achieve higher martial arts kicks.
Basic Taekwondo Kicks

 Axe Kick - A high axe kick is useful to striking your opponent's head or
collar bone.
 Back Kick - The back kick is my favorite Taekwondo kick. Very powerful.
 Crescent Kick - This page covers inner and outer crescent kicks.
 Front Kick - A front kick is useful for hitting your opponent in the groin or
doing a snap kick to the chin.
 Hook or Whip Kick - The hook kick is a deceptive kick if executed properly.
 Push Kick - The push kick is a great defensive Taekwondo kick in order to
knock your opponent off balance.
 Roundhouse Kick - This basic Taekwondo roundhouse kick is probably the
most frequently used kick in Taekwondo, esp. for sparring.
 Front Foot Roundhouse Kick - This is where you use your forward foot to
execute a roundhouse kick (versus using your rear leg).
 Side Kick - A Taekwondo side kick is an effective self-defense kick,
especially if it is aimed at the knee.

Advanced Taekwondo Kicks

 Butterfly Kick - The butterfly kick is a great kick for demonstrations but not practical for real-world
situations.
 Butterfly Twist - An advanced and more acrobatic version of the butterfly kick.
 Double Roundhouse Kick - This kick is often used in Taekwondo sparring.
 Downward Roundhouse Kick - You will need to be very flexible to master the downward
roundhouse kick.
 Flying Back Kick - A flying back kick is a more advanced version of a jumping back kick. Lots of
fun to perform this kick.
 Flying Front Kick - This page will also help you with a "jumping front kick".
 Flying Side Kick - The flying side kick is another fun "flying" martial arts kick. Kids love to hit a
practice dummy with this flying kick.
 Hopping or Step Behind Side Kick - The Taekwondo step behind side kick is a great way to close
the distance with an opponent & land a powerful kick.
 Jumping Double Roundhouse Kick - The jumping double roundhouse kick is a very effective
Taekwondo kick for sparring. Less useful in real life.
 Jumping Back Kick - A jumping back kick is a useful counter kick for sparring.
 Jumping Spinning Crescent Kick
 Jumping Spinning Hook Kick - I always find the Taekwondo jumping spinning hook kick very
difficult to execute. :)
 Knee Strikes - You can not use knee strikes during Taekwondo sparring. However, knee strikes
are very effective in "real life" combat.
 Round Knee Strike - Instead of striking your target with a vertical knee strike, you are hitting with
a lateral knee strike.
 Scissor Kick - The scissor kick allows you to strike two targets at the same time.
  Shin Kick - In Taekwondo, you are usually taught to strike an opponent with your instep or the top
of your foot while doing a roundhouse kick. In contrast, if you use a shin kick, you will hit an
opponent with the dense bone of your shin (versus your instep or the top of the foot).
 Spinning Crescent Kick - The Taekwondo spinning crescent kick is a more powerful version of the
traditional crescent kick.
 Spinning Hook Kick - If done correctly, the Taekwondo spinning hook kick is a very deceptive and
devastating kick.
 Spinning Roundhouse Kick - The spinning roundhouse kick is a more powerful version of the
regular roundhouse kick.
 Tornado Kick (or Jumping Spinning Roundhouse Kick) - Here are some video instructions for a
tornado kick. If used properly, this Taekwondo kick can result in some spectacular knockouts
during sparring (see the video on this page).
 540 Kick - 540 kicks are spectacular spinning kicks. However, be care as you can damage your
knee if you land incorrectly.

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Instructions for a Taekwondo Axe Kick

 Make sure that you stretch (and stretch some more) before attempting this kick because it
is easy to pull a hamstring if you over extend your leg.
 Bring your leg as high as you can.
 Bring your leg down vertically against the target.
 Try to strike the target with the heel of your foot.
 In self-defense, this kick is used against targets such as the face or shoulder bone of an
attacker.
 This kick should only be used in certain situations as you are leaving your groin exposed
for a counter attack.

Instructions for a Taekwondo Back Kick

 Start in your kicking stance. You will use your rear leg in this kick.
 If you are in a right kicking stance, turn your body to the right until you are facing
directly away from your target. During this movement, you should pivot on your left foot.
 Continue turning to the right and look over your right shoulder (look at your target - you
need to see what you are hitting). Lift your right knee to your chest (think of kicking like
a mule).
 Drive the heel of your foot straight back towards your opponent. Many kids have a hard
time with this kick and do a mini-hook kick instead (as their leg turns with the body
twist).
 After hitting your target, quickly resume kicking stance so you can prepare for your next
kick.
 For more power, try stepping forward and then starting your back kick. You will gain
more forward momentum.
 Try to use in combination with other kicks (i.e. roundhouse kick and then a back kick).