In this lesson, you will learn how to execute a turning back kick. The back kick is usually applied with a turn at the beginning. In the trainer advice (below), you can find an exercise on how to do a back kick without a turn. It’s said that the turning back kick and the turning side kick are the most powerful Tae Kwon Do kicks. The main difference between these two kicks is that when you perform a turning side kick, you turn a bit further with the lifted knee before you thrust your foot. See side kick tutorial. Find other Taekwondo kicks at Taekwondo main.
Description: Turning Back Kick - Tae Kwon Do
Watch your opponent and twist clockwise on both balls of your feet so that your toes point backward. After the turn, the left leg carries most of the weight and is bent slightly. Don’t turn your head yet. Keep watching your opponent from over your left shoulder.
Lift your right foot (kicking leg) next to your left knee and twist your head fast so that you can see your opponent from over your right shoulder. When you execute a back kick, the kicking leg has to move in one straight line and not in a circle. Your right heel should be really close to your left knee. The head has to be turned fast because every moment where you can’t see your opponent is a chance for him to attack you. Watch your opponent as long as possible before you lift your kicking leg and as early as possible when you lift it.
Thrust out your right foot and hit your opponent with the heel first. Toes point down slightly. Both knees extended. Keep watching your opponent. When viewed from your opponent’s perspective, your kicking foot and shoulders should be further left than your hips.
Pull back your right foot before your opponent can grab your leg. The foot has to move back in a straight line toward the left knee/thigh, not in a circle. From this position, you can perform other kicks or step back down to your fighting stance.
Step back down into a left or right fighting stance. In Tae Kwon Do, the side of the stance is often switched. People who step down into a left fighting stance often make the mistake of just letting the leg fall. This makes it easier for your opponent to counterattack you. Make sure you pull your foot back first!
Trainer advice: Turning Back Kick - Tae Kwon Do
When you first learn the back kick, count 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… following the steps taught above. Hold each position for a few seconds.
Exercise: Hold with both hands on a chair, lift the right knee to hip height, place the foot next to the left knee, and look over your right shoulder. Then thrust the right foot backward. Perform 8 to 12 kicks in a row and then try the other side. Later, combine this with the "initial turn" as illustrated above.
At the beginning, it’s okay if you only kick to hip height. The most powerful height of the back kick is usually slightly above hip height.
Related instructions: Turning Back Kick - Tae Kwon Do
Front Kick
Side Kick
Roundhouse Kick
Videos: Turning Back Kick - Tae Kwon Do
Detailed Back Kick Tutorial including Exercises @ YT
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