The side stretchkick, Ce Ti, is the second basic Wushu kick and should be practiced in every single training session. The kick itself is straight, like the Wushu front stretchkick, but your body is turned sideways and the foot moves toward your ear rather than your forehead. Arm and head movements add extra flair to the side stretchkick.
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Execution
- Stand upright with your legs together, facing to your left.
(This means you're going to kick with your left leg — left side = forward.) - Your left arm should point to your left with the palm facing up; your fingertips should be at shoulder height. Your right arm should point to your right, palm up, with the wrist slightly above shoulder height. This means your left arm is just below horizontal, and your right arm is just above horizontal.
- Step forward with your right foot, placing it in front of your left foot. Keep your arms aligned with your walking direction.
- After stepping, kick your left leg up — but aim it toward your ear, not your forehead.
Important:- Do not turn your hip
- Do not bend your torso
- Do not kick higher than your head
- As your kicking foot reaches its highest point:
- Align your right arm vertically, palm up, with fingertips pointing toward your kicking foot
- Turn your head 90° clockwise, so you are facing the kick — your foot should be traveling toward your left ear
- Move your left palm (fingertips pointing up) to your right shoulder, with the elbow in front of your abs. Maintain this posture briefly — less than a millisecond.
- Let your kicking leg snap back down.
- Simultaneously, return your arms and head to the starting position.
- Step further forward with your left leg.
- From there, repeat the kick starting again at Step 2.
For the right side stretchkick, simply reverse the directions.
Advice
- Wall Stretch:
Stand sideways next to a wall. Lift your leg to the side and rest it against the wall. Make sure your toes aren't higher than your head. Grab your foot with both hands while keeping your torso straight to stretch into the correct side-kick posture. - Ballistic Stretching:
Stand in front of a wall and hold onto something at chest height with both hands. Swing your leg up sideways, as if performing the actual kick. Perform 10 to 20 repetitions, making sure your hip remains parallel to the wall.
Do not elevate or twist your hip during the kick.
Suggested Techniques to Learn Alongside:
- Wushu Side Stretchkick
- Straight Wushu Stretchkick
- Wushu Side Kick
- Front Sweep
- Back Sweep
Videos/Images
- Side Stretchkick – Wushu Ce Ti
- Side Stretchkick Practice in Wushu Class
