How to Do a Kickboxing Push Kick

The push kick is one of two essential kicking techniques in kickboxing. The push kick allows you to safely create distance between you and your opponent so that you can follow the kick with a well-placed attack. To use this staple kickboxing kick, follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Set up in your kickboxing stance. You should be in a solid stance and well balanced so you can leverage your body to provide extra power for the kick. Put one foot in front with toes angled slightly in the direction of your body. Keep both hands up and you back foot at about 60 degrees to your body.
2. Start with the knee. Bring your knee up to about waist level. This allows you to leverage power from your body and not just from your leg. Stay balanced on your posted leg so you can lower your knee and move back in case your opponent anticipates the kick.
3. Kick forward. Kick with your front leg in a way that exerts most power once you've made contact with your opponent's body. Aim for the midsection or, if you improve your kicking, your opponent's head. Push with the top of your foot and allow your torso to lever back in order to muster more power for the kick. Keep your hands up during the kick.
4. Return to your stance and attack. After you push kick your opponent bring your leg back to the raised knee position and then put your foot back so you resume your fighting stance. If your opponent is dazed or destabilized by the kick, follow it up with a roundhouse or punching attack.
5. Attempt a rear leg push kick. Once you get the basics of the front leg push kick down, attempt a rear leg push kick that uses more of your body's power to distance and even injure your kickboxing opponent.