Kicks - (Chagi)
Kicking is the most important aspect in Tae Kwon-do. More than any other martial art, Tae Kwon-do has a huge variety of kicks. The Tae Kwon-do stance can be rapidly shifted to alternate which leg is in the lead and, from here, spinning kicks, straight kicks, jumping kicks, jump spinning kicks and double or even triple kicks can be performed in quick succession. Fake kicks are also employed so that an opponent will initiate a response and open himself up to a counter move. Depending on the type of kick executed, various parts of the foot are engaged as the striking surface.
Striking Points
Blade/Heal
This a hard surface used in penetrating kicks such as side kicks. The relative toughness of the foor blade and heel also makes it suitable for use against the head of an opponent as in the Axe Kick and the Hook Kick
Ball
The ball of the foot is the area directly underneath the toes, exposed when they are pulled back. This is the area engaged in frontal, snapping kicks and aimed at the opponents lower leg and knees, solar plexus, stomach or chin. The toes must be pulled back in front kicks or they could be broken on impact, meaning the kicker suffers a far greater injury than the kicked.
Instep
The instep is at the top of the foot, as exposed when the toes are pointed forwards, is a useful surface for kicking the side of an opponents body or head. Turning Kicks engage the instep. Greater damage can be achieved in the same kicks by pulling the toes back and striking with the ball, however the angle needs to be correct or the toes can suffer.
Sole
The sole of the foot provides a big surface area and is mostly used to force the opponent backwards with a stamping type action. In this way, pushing kicks are more of a defensive manoeuvre. Nevertheless, a well timed pushing kick can knock the wind out of an attacker.
The Knee
Any knee type techniques are banned for use in Tae Kwon-do competitions, however this is a very powerful technique. As can be seen in Muay Thai, the knee is a formidable weapon and can knock an opponent out in a single, low-risk strike. Knee techniques are usually taught in Tae Kwon-do as part of self-defence.
Standard Taekwondo Kicks
These kicks are performed from a standard fighting stance, two legs on the ground. They can also be skipped forwards to close distance.
Front Kick - Ap Chagi
This one of the most basic yet most powerful kicks. The front knee is raised and the leg is rapidly extended straight up and forwards to make contact. The toes are pulled back for protection so that the pad of the foot strikes the opponent.
Side Kick' - Yup Chagi
A powerful thrusting kick. The knee is raised up like in the Front Kick, and almost simultaneously the body pivots 90 degrees so the hip on the kicking side is pointed towards the opponent. While doing this the knee is brought away from the opponent, the lower leg held parallel to the ground and the leg is thrust out sideways. The opponent may be struck with the blade of the foot, as it is inverted horizontal to the ground.
Turning Kick - Dollyeo Chagi
The knee is raised and the hips simultaneously turned 90 degree to face the opponent. As the hips turn, the leg is kicked in the same direction to strike the side of the opponents body or head with the instep. The toes may also be curled back to strike with the ball of the foot.
Back Kick - Dwi Chagi
This kick is initiated in the same way as the side kick but the hips are turned further than 90 degrees so that the opponent is viewed over the shoulder. The kick is then thrust out backwards in a movement not unlike a donkey's kick. This is a particularly powerful kick and can get a lot of reach.
Hook Kick - Guligi Chagi
This kick that can get behind an opponents defences and do them some real harm. The leg is lifted just like in a roundhouse kick but then the hips are turned over 90 degrees towards the opponent so that, when extended, the kicking leg is on the far side of his body. The outstretched kicking leg is then rapidly bent inwards in a hooking movement, ideally catching the opponent round the back of the head with the heel.
Axe Kick - Chiko Chagi
One of the most devastating kicks in the Tae Kwon-do arsenal. Requiring considerable flexibility, the straightened kicking leg is swung directly up above the body of the practitioner. At its vertical apex the kicking lies flat along the practitioner, nestled into the same side shoulder. The straight leg is then brought down onto the shoulders or head of the opponent. Strong contracting hamstrings are aided by gravity and no one can withstand a perfectly timed axe kick to the head. Time and time again, Axe Kicks are used to achieve a knockout in full contact competitions.
Crescent Kick - Bandal Chagi
This kick comes in two variations - inside crescent kick and outside crescent kick. In the inside crescent kick the knee is lifted high across the body in a tight arc shape. The kick originates outside the body and moves across in an arc, the point of impact should be the opponents head at the arc's apex. The outside crescent kick works in the opposite way, with the leg swinging in an arc from inside to outside.
Taekwondo Fast Kicks
These are performed on the front leg while the back leg skips forwards or maintains the balance of the student. They do not have the power of rear leg kicks but can serve to confuse an opponent, opening him up to a more powerful attack.
Taekwondo Spinning Kicks
Spinning kicks require the student to execute a spin before the leg is released. In this way, extra momentum is created which makes the kick far more powerful should it connect. The initial spin may also be used to dodge an incoming attack.
Reverse Turning Kick - Banhdae Dollyeo Chagi
The back leg is the kicking leg. pivoting 180 degrees on the ball of the foot on the front leg, the student swings his back leg behind himself and toward his opponent. As the kicking leg foot approaches the opponent, the leg is bent inwards sharply to strike the back the opponents head with the hard heel.
Spinning Axe Kick - Dolmyo Chiko Chagi
The back leg is the kicking leg, pivoting 180 degrees on the ball of the foot of the front leg, the student twists round and as the body turns the leg is raised up and then when it is in line with his opponents central axis, the kicking leg is brought downwards as in the standard axe kick.t
Turning Side Kick - Dolmyo Yup Chagi
A spin added to a side kick means that the kick is thrust forwards with the added momentum of a 180 or even 360 degree twist. Used in a combination evasion/attack, a Turning Side Kick a powerful counter, as an opponents kick can be evaded before the kick is delivered to his exposed body.
Taekwondo Jump Kicks
Jumping kicks were traditionally used in battle to dismount attacking horsemen. In modern day Tae Kwon-do, a jumping kick can be used to evade an incoming strike and retaliate simultaneously. Alternatively, it can be used to quickly gain distance and strike an opponent who was previously out of range. The drawback is that leaping in the air makes the kicker unstable and easy to topple.
Jumping Front Kick - Twieo Ap chagi
This the same as a standard front kick except the kick is performed in mid-air.
Jumping Turning Kick - Twieo Dollyo Chagi
This requires the practitioner to initiate his turn as he leaves the ground, a turning kick is then performed mid air. It is useful to counter an opponent who moves forwards to attack as he can be evaded and kicked in the side of the head as he rushes in.
Jumping Side Kick - Twieo Yup Chagi
This the most famous jumping kick. To be used as a horse dismounting kick the student would need to step or run forwards before leaping in the air, turning sideways and thrusting his leading leg forward with the entire weight of his body travelling behind it. Stationary Jumping Side Kicks are often used to bring a rapid halt to an opponents rush attack.
Jumping Double Back Kick - Twieo Dui Chagi
This is a very difficult and dangerous flying side kick to perform, which engages both legs to strike the opponent. This is a very advanced kick as you have to reach a considerable height in order to be able to extend both legs completely sideways, strike and land back on your feet in a single jump.
Side Kick - (Yup Chagi)
Front Kick - (Ap Chagi)
Turning Kick - (Dollyeo Chagi)