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Step 1
Look for Foot TurnLook for signals that a tornado kick is coming. When someone throws a tornado kick, he must first turn his front foot around and point his heel at you. This is followed by a tornado spin with his knee whipping around followed by his kicking leg. Sometimes a martial artist will step into a tornado kick, but he still needs to point the heel of the stepping foot at you to start a tornado kick. Look for this. When you see your opponent winding up for a tornado kick, launch your defense.
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Step 2
Slide In Direction of SpinStep forward and toward the front of your opponent when you see him initiating the tornado kick. Think of it as sliding along a diagonal line in the direction your opponent is spinning. The moment you see him turn his heel toward you, he is committed to the maneuver, so you should be able to do this easily. Your opponent will be moving toward, then reach out with his kicking leg. As he enters the tornado spin, he will expect you to be standing in the same spot when he comes around. You won't be.
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Step 3
Kick in the RearSmack your opponent in the rear end with a jump side kick. Your opponent will have his back to you while he is spinning in mid air. Since you have moved away from where he expects you to be, his kick is useless. Since he is in mid air, there is nothing he can do to stop you.
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Step 4
Knock Off BalancePush off your opponent with your kick, and withdraw your kicking leg. This is important since your opponent will be collapsing in front of you and you don't want to be brought down with him. Since your opponent is spinning in mid air, a kick to his center of gravity will take his legs out from under him. If you hit him cleanly, he will fall flat on his backside.
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Step 5
Follow UpFollow up with an attack. Your opponent will most likely be off balance with his back to you. Close the distance and follow up with a front kick or scissor kick. Your opponent will think twice before trying to throw another tornado kick at you.
