Want to become a kicking expert? Taekwondo offers an incredible array of kicks that can transform you from novice to skilled practitioner. So below I’ve outlined 29 Taekwondo kicks.
Learning these 29 essential kicks will take you on an exciting journey through both basic techniques and advanced movements.
Think of kicks as your body’s natural weapons. They require proper form, balance, and dedication to master. The rewards of learning these moves go far beyond just physical fitness.
Some kicks flow like water, while others strike with lightning precision. Each technique serves a unique purpose in combat situations and self-defense scenarios. Understanding when to use them is just as crucial as knowing how to execute them.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything from first kicks to complex spin kicks. We’ll explore the proper muscle memory needed for each movement, plus the ideal point of impact for maximum effectiveness. Whether you’re a beginner or advancing in rank, these kicks form the foundation of your martial arts journey.
Beginner Taekwondo Kicks
1. Front Kick (Ap Chagi)
- Start in a balanced stance with knees slightly bent
- Chamber by lifting knee to waist height
- Extend the leg straight forward, striking with the ball of the foot
- Rechamber by pulling knee back before returning to stance
- Target can be mid-section or face-level
2. Side Kick (Yeop/Yop Chagi)
- Raise knee while rotating body 90 degrees
- Chamber knee across the centerline of the body
- Extend your leg straight out to the side
- Strike with the outside edge or heel of the foot
- Use momentum of waist/torso rotation for power
3. Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi)
- Pivot on supporting foot
- Chamber knee high
- Turn your hips over as you extend the kicking leg
- Strike with instep or ball of foot
- Follow through with hip rotation
4. Back Kick (Dwit Chagi)
- Look over your shoulder at the target
- Turn body away from target
- Chamber knee high
- Thrust heel straight back
- Strike with the heel of the foot
5. Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi)
- Can be an inner (An) or outer (Bakkat) crescent
- Chamber knee-high against the body
- For inner: sweep leg inward across the body
- For outer: sweep the leg outward away from the body
- Strike with the instep of the foot
6. Push Kick (Meereo Chagi)
- Chamber knee to waist height
- Extend the leg with a pushing motion
- Strike with the ball of the foot
- Push through target
- Focus on forward force rather than impact
7. Front Foot Roundhouse Kick
- Start with the front leg
- Lift knee quickly
- Turn hip over
- Snap kick with instep
- Return to original stance
8. Knee Strike (Mureup Chigi)
- Chamber knee upward
- Drive knee forward or upward
- Use your hands to pull the target into the knee
- Strike with knee cap
- Return to fighting stance
9. Shin Kick
- Chamber like roundhouse
- Turn hip over
- Strike with the shin bone
- Target lower leg or thigh
- Return to stance
Advanced Taekwondo Kicks
10. Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi)
- Chamber like a sidekick
- Extend leg outward
- Snap leg back in hooking motion
- Strike with heel
- Maintain balance through rotation
11. Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi)
- Raise your leg straight up as high as possible
- Keep leg straight
- Drive heel downward in a chopping motion
- Strike with heel
- Target is typically head or collarbone
12. Tornado Kick (Dwi Huryeo Chagi)
- Step across the body with the back leg
- Pivot on the front foot
- Jump and spin 360 degrees
- Chamber knee during spin
- Extend leg to strike with instep
13. Flying Side Kick (Twimyo Yop Chagi)
- Take running start
- Jump forward and upward
- Chamber knee during the jump
- Extend leg to strike with heel or knife edge
- Land in a fighting stance
14. Flying Back Kick (Twi Myo Dwi Chagi)
- Take running start
- Jump while turning away from the target
- Look over your shoulder to spot the target
- Extend leg to strike with heel
- Land facing away from the target
15. Scissor Kick (Kawi Chagi)
- Jump upward
- Split legs in a scissoring motion
- Strike two targets simultaneously
- One leg high, one leg low
- Land with feet together
16. Double Roundhouse Kick (Narae Chagi)
- Execute first roundhouse kick
- Rechamber quickly
- Execute the second roundhouse kick before landing
- Both kicks with the same leg
- Land in a fighting stance
17. Butterfly Kick
- Step forward at a 45-degree angle
- Jump and rotate your body horizontally
- Sweep legs in a butterfly motion
- Complete 360-degree rotation
- Land in original stance
18. Butterfly Twist
- Perform butterfly kick setup
- Add vertical rotation during the jump
- Twist body while legs sweep
- Complete both horizontal and vertical rotation
- Land balanced
19. Jumping Front Kick (Eedan Ap Chagi)
- Bounce slightly
- Jump straight up
- Chamber knee during the jump
- Execute front kick at peak height
- Land in a fighting stance
20. Jumping Spinning Crescent Kick
- Jump while spinning
- Chamber knee high
- Execute crescent kick during spin
- Complete 360-degree rotation
- Land in a fighting stance
21. Downward Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Naeryeo Chagi)
- Chamber like roundhouse
- Raise knee above target height
- Execute roundhouse motion downward
- Strike with instep
- Follow through downward
22. Spinning Hook Kick (Dwi Huryeo Chagi)
- Spin away from the target
- Look over shoulder
- Chamber knee high
- Execute hook kick motion
- Strike with heel
23. Spinning Roundhouse Kick
- Spin away from the target
- Chamber knee during spin
- Execute roundhouse motion
- Strike with instep
- Complete rotation
24. 540 Roundhouse Kick
- Step and pivot
- Jump and begin 540-degree rotation
- Chamber knee during spin
- Execute roundhouse kick
- Complete rotation and land
25. Reverse Side Kick (Bandae Yeop Chagi)
- Turn away from the target
- Chamber knee high
- Extend leg in side kick motion
- Strike with heel or knife edge
- Return to fighting stance
26. Hopping/Step Behind Side Kick
- Step behind the standing leg
- Hop forward
- Chamber knee during the hop
- Execute side kick
- Land in a fighting stance
27. Jumping Spinning Hook Kick
- Jump and begin the spin
- Chamber knee high
- Execute hook kick during spin
- Strike with heel
- Land in a fighting stance
28. Repeating Kick (Geodeup Chagi)
- Execute initial kick
- Rechamber quickly
- Repeat same kick
- Use the same leg
- Land in a fighting stance
29. Twisting Kick (Bituro Chagi)
- Chamber knee
- Twist body during the kick
- Extend kicking leg
- Strike with the appropriate surface
- Return to stance
Final Thoughts
Mastering these kicks requires dedication and consistent practice. Remember to focus on your supporting leg and maintain proper body mechanics throughout each movement. Good habits build strong foundations.
From basic techniques to advanced jump kicks, every movement serves a purpose. The front snap kick might seem simple, but it teaches crucial lessons about balance and control. Even taekwondo masters continue practicing these fundamentals.
Your journey from chest-level kicks to your opponent’s head strikes will take time. Focus on proper form before increasing height and power. Pay special attention to your knee of the kicking leg, as it guides each movement’s precision.
Korean martial arts emphasize both power and grace. Whether executing linear kicks or mastering the circular motion of more complex techniques, patience is key. Regular training develops the muscle control needed for everything from basic kicks to reverse-turning kicks.
Remember, becoming skilled at these 29 kicks isn’t just about memorizing movements. It’s about understanding their applications and making them part of your natural flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 6 basic kicks of Taekwondo?
The six foundational kicks every taekwondo student learns are:
- Front kick
- Side kick
- Round kick
- Back kick
- Hook kick
- Axe kick
Each uses different parts of the foot for striking. The front kick and side kick follow a straight line path, while the round kick moves in a circular motion.
These basic kicks form building blocks for more advanced kicks. Practice them at different heights until they become natural movements. Your kicking foot position matters most for power and accuracy.
What is the most powerful kick in Taekwondo?
The backkick is widely considered one of the most powerful kicks in Taekwondo. This rear leg technique generates incredible force by combining full body rotation with the kicking foot striking straight back.
Many advanced techniques are built from this foundation, but the basic backkick remains unmatched for raw power. When executed with proper form and full extension, it can deliver devastating force through the heel of the foot.
The backkick’s effectiveness comes from its ability to channel your entire body’s momentum into a single point of impact.
What is the most difficult kick in Taekwondo?
The 540 kick, an advanced technique that combines a jumping spin hook kick with a full rotation, poses the greatest challenge for most taekwondo students. This complex movement demands perfect balance while spinning through different heights.
Your upper body coordination must sync perfectly with your kicking leg to achieve the proper rotation. The difficulty increases because you must maintain control through the spin while preparing to strike with the foot blade.
This kick requires extensive practice and an outstanding range of motion to execute properly.
What is the easiest kick in Taekwondo?
The front kick is typically the first kick taekwondo students learn because of its straightforward kicking technique. Using the ball of your foot, this linear kick follows a simple straight line path toward your target.
Your rear leg generates power naturally, making it easier to maintain balance throughout the movement. Most beginners master this kick quickly because it mimics the natural motion of walking or climbing stairs.
This basic kick teaches proper form without complex movements or rotations.
What kicks are not allowed in Taekwondo?
In modern taekwondo competitions, knee strikes and low kicks targeting below the waist are strictly forbidden. Kicks to sensitive areas like the collarbone, throat, or back of the head will result in penalties or disqualification.
The thrashing kick and certain variations of side kick may be restricted depending on the style of taekwondo being practiced. Some tournaments also ban kicks that deliberately target the opponent’s joints or spine.
These rules ensure safety while maintaining the sport’s integrity and competitive spirit.