Side Kick - The Basics
Name of Kick: SIDE KICK or YOP CHAGI
Rank: This kick is usually the 3rd kick learned. I learned this kick at orange belt.
Use: This kick can be used 2 ways. It can be used as a front leg side kick or cut kick and used to push your opponent away or as it is primarily used as a form kick. The striking point of this kick is the outer edge of the foot or the knife edge of the kick.
How to: Performing this kick requires a lot of balance. From fighting stance bring your back foot to your knee, foot flexed or toes up. Simultaneously pivot 90 degrees. So, if you started facing your opponent, your shoulder is now facing them. When you kick straight out remember you are attempting to strike with the knife of the foot. As you kick higher, your pivot should increase up to 180. When executing this kick, like round house, we want to ensure our foot, knee, hip and shoulder are on the same line.
Better it:
This kick is where things get tricky. There are a few instances this kick would be beneficial in sparring, but this is mostly a looks kick and seen in forms and demonstrations. It requires more control and balance than the prior two kicks.
Let’s jump right in. From a fighting stance, here are the 3 aspects of a side kick:
- Chamber– Let’s start with the front kick chamber, but instead of having your leg at a 90-degree angle, you have your foot closer to your knee.
- Pivot – While in the chamber, you will want to simultaneously pivot and kick. For a sidekick, you have to pivot 90 and 180. (180 being ideal)
- Alignment – Just like the roundhouse you are going to want your knee, hip, and shoulder in line. While with the roundhouse you are kicking across, the sidekick is more of a stomp and you want to make sure you are kicking with the knife of your foot. (The outer Edge)
While the roundhouse gained its power from the hip turning over, the sidekick gains most of its power from the pivot and lean. When the kick goes out your upper body should lean back, all along the same line.
Some key points for this kick are to make sure your hip is all the way around and pushed in. Again the kick utilizes a stomping motion outward, so when you chamber it is like a winding motion, and then when you release your kick and pivot your body should be in a Y shape.
Training:
Here are a few tips to train your sidekick:
- Focus on balance and form. Start with the kick low and hold for 30 secs.
- Focus on height and form. Using the wall or a chair, pre-pivot and execute the kick, hold for 30 secs.
- Focus strength and power. Using something to assist with balance, start with your kick low and raise your leg as high as you can go. Repeat for 30 secs.
Sidekicks helps to develop your balance and power which will be necessary for future kicks.
