How to Do a Taekwondo Crescent Kick

Perhaps one of the easiest to learn and the most utilized kicks in TaeKwonDo, the crescent kick is a staple for other attacks. You can see why this particular kick is called a crescent kick; the path your foot creates a crescent shape. You kick to the right and snap it back to the left to hit your target, and then allow your foot to return to guarding stance. Learn how to perform a TaeKwonDo crescent kick.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comfortable Clothing
• Good Space to Practice in

How to Do an Out-In Taekwondo Crescent Kick

1. 
   Tae Kwon Do Guarding or Fighting Stance

   Begin in guarding stance with your feet about shoulder with apart, your right (back) toes facing toward your right, your left (front) toes facing forward. Your knees need to be bent. Nearly all of your weight needs to be on your back leg. You can check this by lifting up your left leg slightly to keep all of your weight on the back leg. You should be able to stay in the guarding stance.Your elbows need to be just a few inches away from your sides with your fists up. Your left fist should be protecting your chest and your left fist needs to protect your face. A great crescent kick begins with an excellent stance.

2. Next lift up your right leg. Your knee needs to be bent and facing towards the right. Your upper body should still be facing your target while your lower body (waist down) is facing to the right. Your back, hips and leg will give your crescent kick the power it needs.

3. 
   Mid Section Tae Kwon Do Crescent Kick from http://www.ir.isas.jaxa.jp/~cpp/TKD/sd/onestep-e.html

   The next step is to kick your foot out and turn your body forward. Right now, in this position, your foot should be on target. This could be your opponent's head, side or leg on their left side. You would be hitting your opponent with the inside part of your foot for a crescent kick.

4. Allow your foot to return to its original position after hitting the target. You should now be back in guarding stance ready to throw the next punch, kick or block. Crescent kicks, just like all other kicks, begin with a strong stance.

5. 
   Bob by Century

   It would be best to practice the Tae Kwon Do crescent kick on a Bob (made by Century) or punching bag so you can practice hitting the target.

How to Do an In-Out Tae Kwon Do Crescent Kick

6. There are two different types of Tae Kwon Do crescent kicks. The prior one was an Out-In Tae Kwon Do crescent kick, and this one is an In-Out Tae Kwon Do crescent kick. The differences are easily noticeable in the names of the different crescent kicks. The Out-In crescent kick goes out and then in to strike the target. This one, the In-Out crescent kick come in and then out to strike the target.

7. To perform this In-Out Tae Kwon Do crescent kick you simply need to follow the instructions above from Step 1.

8. Knee Up:Now, bring your knee up and point it towards your left instead of your right.

9. Kick:Kick your leg out to the right side of your opponent.

10. Snap Kick:This is where you pull your heel to the right, striking your opponent on their right side. Bring your foot back and return to guarding position.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on a Daily Basis
• Join a Local TaeKwonDo Dojang
• Always Stretch Well Before Practicing
• Get Instruction in Person from a TaeKwonDo Instructor

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

Resources

• Tae Kwon Do Guard Stance
• Axe kick, Out-in Crescent kick, and side kick

[MaryTKD]

on 11/25/2008 I'm glad to see that all your TKD "how to's" suggest that the reader should find a good school and a good instructor. Many so called martial artists have done little more then research a style online. These types usually can't "hang" in class.