Sanda Side Kick Video

This video shows how to do side kick in sanda. In Chinese (Mandarin) the side kick is called "Ce Shuai Tui" or simply "Ce Shuai". The side kick is considered the most effective kick in sanda (like the roundhouse kick in muay thai) and that's why it's often the first attack you see in sanda fights. Click here for more sanda videos and don't forget to check out the animated sanda section.

Execution

In sanda the side kick is usually applied with the front leg. So if you stand in a left lead position you would kick with your left leg. You can also kick with the back leg, but for most Chinese fighters, kicking with the back leg doesn't really make sense, because you have to turn and it's more difficult to apply a back leg side kick.
Lift the knee of your front leg towards your chest and round your back a little.
Keep looking straight forward and don't lower your hands. Your lead hand should stay in front of your face and your back hand should stay close to your head.
Lift your kicking foot to hip height but don't lean back to much. Actually try to lean back as little as possible. The knee is of the kicking leg is completely bent and the foot is as close as possible to your body.
Twist on the ball of the foot of your standing leg but don't elevate your heel too much.
Then extend your kicking leg and lean back a little. Unlike to the side kicks of other martial arts styles, in sanda you don't bend back very far. Bend back as little as possible. When the kicking leg is fully extended, the foot should be parallel to the floor. It's ok if your toes point down a little, but not up. Flex your ankle so that your heel touches your opponent first. What's important about the sanda side kick is that you shouldn't over extend, meaning that you don't have to push your hips forward in order to arch your back. If you look at this from the top, your back, your leg and your hips are in a straight line. Exhale as you kick and don't lower your guard.
Pull your foot back towards your chest and then go back to your fighting stance. A lot of beginners make the mistake to just let the kicking leg fall after the kick. This would make it easier for your opponent to grab your leg and throw you.

Advice

Some right handed sanda fighters choose to stand in a right lead position in order to apply stronger side kicks. Click here to learn more about the sanda fighting stance.
Work on a heavy bag.
Don't kick with the ball of your foot.
Remember to keep your fists up and exhale as you kick.

Performance

In this Video: Li Xin - Song Jiang Wushu School
Team: Sanda 1 Team - Song Jiang Wushu School
Coach: Zhou Zhang Yong
Taped by: Mavi

Suggestions

Martin Vidic doesn't take any responsibility for using his training methods. Read the T.O.S.
Please feel free to contact mavi, if you have any ideas, suggestions or questions.
To submit corrections or translations of this topic, please click here. (Privacy Policy)