Click Here
How To

How to Do a Flying Side Kick in Soo Bahk Do

Contributor
By Tippy
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)
Flying sidekicks demonstrate power and agility.
Flying sidekicks demonstrate power and agility.

Soo Bahk Do, a powerful martial arts style derived from both Korean and Chinese influences, incorporates numerous kicks and punches into its system of self-defense and sport fighting. The flying side kick is a flashy move that awes onlookers in demonstrations and receives boosted scores from judges in breaking competitions. Some argue that it is not successful as a defense kick.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Learn the standing side kick first. The flying side kick resembles the standing kick, with a run and a leap added. However, before you can kick in the air, you must know the correct kicking process on the ground.

  2. Step 2

    Strengthen your jumping muscles. The muscles that propel you to a height sufficient to perform a flying side kick are the calves and quadriceps. Practice jumping as high as possible in preparation for the kick.

  3. Step 3

    Try a jump side kick to get the feel of kicking while in the air. All in Soo Bahk Do kicks strike quickly with a fast repulsion phase but jumping kicks are even faster to accommodate the entire kick while your body is off the ground. Just add a jump when you’re doing your side kick to get the idea of how much power you need.

  4. Step 4

    Start with a short run or a few steps in order to build the momentum necessary to launch your body toward the target. It takes extensive practice to learn the correct distance to run and where to begin the jump in order to reach the target. If you jump too early, you won't make it and if you jump too late, you won't have time to extend your kick before your body slams into the target.

  5. Step 5

    Take off from the foot not performing the kick. As you run toward the target, your kicking leg tucks in preparation for the kick at the same time you push off the ground with your other leg.

  6. Step 6

    Tuck and extend your kicking leg while keeping your other leg tucked underneath you or bent, with your knee slightly below horizontal and your toes level with the knee of your kicking leg.

  7. Step 7

    Extend your arm on the same side as your kicking leg toward the target, hand clenched in a fist, and bring your other hand up in a guard position.

  8. Step 8

    Land your kick and quickly balance yourself. The flying side kick often lands clumsily since the kick itself takes up most of your air time, leaving little time to right yourself with before landing.

  9. Step 9

    Use the flying side kick mostly for showing your mastery of martial arts. Legend has it that this kick originated from a need to unseat attacking enemies from their horses. Although that tale is unverified, it’s clear that the flying side kick is useful in breaking boards and wowing audiences.

Tips & Warnings
  • Enroll in martial arts classes to expand your knowledge of kicks and punches.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Sports & Fitness Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Sports and Fitness
eHow_eHow Sports and Fitness