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How to Do a Standing Side Kick in Martial Arts

Contributor
By Kent Ninomiya
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)
Third Coast Martial Arts, Blaise Cole
Third Coast Martial Arts, Blaise Cole

The standing side kick is a basic strike taught in many martial arts. Different martial arts teach it in slightly different ways, but most use the same basic motion. It involves "chambering" the leg by raising the knee, turning the body away from the target and then firing the kick using the power of the hip and chambered leg. The standing side kick is both powerful and versatile. It is important to learn to do it with perfect technique before advancing in the martial arts.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1
    Ready Stance
    Ready Stance

    Stand in a martial arts fighting stance. Your feet are now a shoulder-width apart with one foot a step ahead of the other. Your kicking leg is the one in the back. Your hands are raised in front of you to protect your head and upper body. Bounce lightly on the balls of your feet. Your weight should be evenly distributed between your feet. Focus on your target.

  2. Step 2
    Raise Knee
    Raise Knee

    Raise the knee of your rear leg as high as you can. As you do this, all your weight will transfer to your support leg. Maintain perfect balance and do not wobble. Spreading the toes on your support foot can help with balance.

  3. Step 3
    Turn Hip Over
    Turn Hip Over

    Rotate the hip of your kicking leg toward your target. As you do this, the knee of your kicking leg will move away from the target and your body will turn. Your plant foot will turn perpendicular to your target. Rotate on the ball of your foot. This is "chambering" the kicking leg for the standing side kick. You are drawing it back for more power. Keep your arms in front of you for balance. Resist the temptation to flail them around to compensate for your turn. Maintain eye contract with the target.

  4. Step 4
    Extend Kick
    Extend Kick

    Thrust your kicking leg out sideways. The motion of the standing side kick is like stomping something in mid-air. Use your hip and the bend of the knee to unleash the power you have stored up. Fire your leg outward as you turn your hip over. You will be facing slightly away from your target as you perform the standing side kick. Turn your head to maintain eye contact with the target throughout the kick. Never take your eyes off of your target.

  5. Step 5

    Impact your target with your heel. This is the hardest part of your foot and it is used to taking a pounding. To strike with your heel, you must point your toes down and pull them back as you kick. You can kick a very hard object with your heel and not feel any pain or suffer any damage.

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