Tae Kwon Do Kicks

Tae Kwon Do is known as the kicking art. There are various styles of martial arts. Some are considered SOFT arts such as Hapkido, because of their emphasis on joint cranks and less striking. They are supposed to be more gentle on the opponent while still being effective. Tae Kwon Do is one of the HARD arts, because it emphasizes hard powerful punches and advanced use of the feet. Of all the martial arts, Tae kwon do is known as the Korean kicking art, because of its strong emphasis on kicking. Many martial arts include kicking but the greater emphasis is placed upon hand techniques. TKD has a strong emphasis on hand techniques, such as punching with different parts of the hand, backfist, ridgehand, fingers, palm strike, hammerfist, as well as blocking techniques and grabbing.

But kicking is what distinguishes Taekwondo! To see Masters perform a flying, spinning jump kick is a thing of great beauty, not to mention almost unbelievable. After seeing the incredible feats done by some of these great practitioners, only a fool would challenge them.

What is the benefit of emphasizing kicking?

Kicking allows a person to have greater reach. Using a kick can keep an enemy further away and allow the Tae kwon do student to reach an enemy more easily.
Kicking gives us more weapons to use for our self defense. When engaged in combat, I want every resource possible.
A Tae kwon do kick enables us to use the larger, more powerful muscles in our legs.
Improves balance.
Builds muscle mass and stamina.

An all inclusive list of Tae kwon do kicks would be hard to put together. Some of the more well known ones include the Round Kick (roundhouse), the Front Snap Kick, and the Side Kick.

The more advanced kicking, like the Spinning Back Kick, the Tornado Kick, and Jumping Kick are quite impressive to see when done by a Master Tae kwon do student.

While kicking is emphasized equally with hand techniques, the point is not to be spectacular or flashy. TKD kicks are designed for self defense and any departure from that purpose has no place in the real world.

Get your Taekwondo kicks and enjoy life more fully!