Axe Kick - The Basics
Name of Kick: Axe Kick or Naeryo Chagi
Rank: This kick is usually the 4th kick learned. I learned this kick at Purple Belt.
Use: This kick is known for its height and speed. It can be used defensively. This kick can be used in sparring and can be turned into a flashy board break. The striking point of this kick is the heel of the foot.
How to: Performing this kick requires a lot of flexibility, speed, and accuracy. From the fighting stance, your back leg comes up straight across your body and then straight down. The pivot here is nonexistent but can go up to 45 degrees depending on your flexibility. So, if you started facing your opponent, your back leg would come across your body, and theirs and your heel should connect with the top of the opponent’s head. You should remain facing them during the entire duration of the kick. This is a face kick, there is no low or middle for this kick. There is only HIGH.
Better it:
This kick’s focus is power and height. This kick is great in sparring and is the least expected kick. This kick needs to be done fast, though otherwise, it leaves you open to attack.
Let’s jump right in. From a fighting stance, here are the 3 aspects of a back kick:
- Straight Leg– When we are executing this kick we have to think of our leg as an AXE. We come straight up and down in one motion for the most power. How high you can kick is determined by your flexibility. Many people attempt this kick and do it high but because their flexibility is bad, the knee is bent. This is bad execution of this kick. Kick ONLY as high as your flexibility allows and then increase your flexibility for higher kicks. See my post on Flexibility.
- Cross/Heel –If attempting this kick in sparring coming straight up and down seems infeasible. This is why we come across the body, we avoid the opponent coming toward us and snap out the kick once they have entered the strike zone. just as important as the direction of the kick is the placement of the foot, If you strike with the ball or toes then it’s just a tap on the head. If we flex our foot and connect with the heel that provides more of a pop.
- Hips – While this seems like a kick that is all leg, no kick is just leg. When we execute this kick we focus on the leg on the upswing and the hips on the backswing. What do I mean? When you ate at max height and you begin to pull the kick back down for the strike you want to pull your hips in. This is where this kick gets its power.
Comparison
While the roundhouse gained its power from the hip turning over, the Axe kick gains most of its power from pulling the hips back. When the kick goes up your upper body should remain erect, but then lean back as you pull your hips to increase your power when you hit the target.
Some key points for this kick are to make sure your knee is straight but not necessarily locked and your body should be upright. Again, the kick utilizes a swinging motion like an Axe.
Training:
Here are a few tips to train your back kick:
- FOCUS ON THE SWING. The up and down motion. Don’t put any power into it. See how high you can go. This is also a good way to start stretching that muscle.
- FOCUS ON THE FOOT. Now we have the swing, focus on flexing your foot, so that every time your swing comes down your heel is what will hit the target.
- FOCUS ON THE HIPS. pulling the hips in on the downswing for power. Start with the rocking motion, Just the hips, then add the swing and then the foot placement.
Axe Kick helps to develop your flexibility and aim which will be necessary for future kicks and techniques.
