Here's a text and Image based tutorial, hope you find it useful.
Here's a text and Image based tutorial, hope you find it useful.
⚠️⚠️Many previous images could be part of copyright so we removed them. Soon we will add new free images carefully⚠️⚠️
White Belt & Yellow Belt (Beginner)
These are the absolute foundations. The focus is on technique, balance, and basic mechanics.
Ap Chagi (Front Kick): The most fundamental kick, thrust straight forward like a piston.
Yop Chagi (Side Kick): A powerful, linear kick delivered with the side of the foot.
Dollyo Chagi (Turning Kick / Roundhouse Kick): The most famous Taekwondo kick, using the instep to strike in a circular motion.
Green Belt (Intermediate)
Students build on the basics, adding height, power, and new angles.
Mireo Chagi (Pushing Kick): A variation of the front kick used to push an opponent away, not snap through them.
Naeryo Chagi (Axe Kick / Downward Kick): A kick brought down onto the opponent's head or shoulder from a high chamber.
Dwi Chagi (Back Kick): A powerful thrust directly backward, using the heel.
Blue Belt & Red Belt (Advanced)
This stage introduces kicks that require greater flexibility, control, and spatial awareness.
Huryeo Chagi (Hook Kick): A kick that travels in a circular path and "hooks" back into the target with the heel.
Bandae Dollyo Chagi (Reverse Turning Kick): A faster, more sneaky version of the roundhouse kick using the back leg from a fighting stance.
Dwi Huryeo Chagi (Spinning Hook Kick): A combination of a spin and a hook kick, known for its surprising power.
Dubyeo Chagi (Stomp Kick): A close-range kick used to attack the opponent's knee or leg.
Black Belt (Flying & Master Level)
These are the acrobatic and highly advanced kicks that demonstrate peak skill, power, and athleticism.
Eedan Chagi (Jumping Front Kick): A front kick executed while in the air.
Eedan Dollyo Chagi (Jumping Roundhouse Kick): A powerful and flashy jumping spin kick.
Twimyo Narae Chagi (Flying Kick): A broad term for any kick delivered after a running or jumping start.
Twio Yop Chagi (Jumping Side Kick): A side kick performed in mid-air, often seen breaking boards.
Golcho Chagi (Sweeping Kick): A low kick used to unbalance an opponent by sweeping their standing leg.
Biteureo Chagi (Twisting Kick): An advanced kick involving a complex body twist, often seen in advanced Poomsae.
Master these three fundamental kicks. They are the essential building blocks for all your power, speed, and technique in Taekwondo.
The front Kick
Front Kick Tutorial:
Video credit: National School of Martial Arts (NSMA)
Purpose: A linear, thrusting kick aimed at an opponent's stomach or solar plexus. It is the most direct and fundamental of all kicks.
Stance: Typically thrown from a Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi) or a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: From your fighting stance, lift your kicking knee directly up towards your chest, pulling your toes back. Your standing leg should be slightly bent for balance.
Execution: From the chamber, thrust your foot straight forward in a piston-like motion. Strike the target with the ball of the foot (Balkal).
Retraction: Immediately pull your foot straight back from the target, returning to the tight chamber position.
Recovery: Place your foot back down into a strong stance, ready for your next technique.
Key Points to Remember:
Piston Motion: The kick should go out and back in a straight line. Do not swing your leg.
Ball of the Foot: Keep your toes pulled back to ensure a proper, safe striking surface.
Balance: Keep your hands up to guard your face throughout the entire kick. Do not lean back.
The Roundhouse Kick:
Purpose: A powerful, circular kick aimed at an opponent's ribs, chest, or head. It is one of the most versatile and commonly used kicks in Taekwondo.
Stance: Typically thrown from a Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi) or a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Pivot on the ball of your standing foot, turning your hips and body sideways. Simultaneously, lift your kicking knee up and across your body, pointing the knee at the target.
Execution: From the chamber, snap your kicking leg outward in a circular motion, making contact with the instep (Junggum) of your foot. Rotate your hips into the kick for maximum power.
Retraction: Snap the leg back along the same path, returning to the chamber position.
Recovery: Pivot your standing foot back to face the front and place your kicking leg down into a strong stance.
Key Points to Remember:
Hip Rotation: Power comes from the sharp rotation of your hips. Your hips should be facing the target upon impact.
Chamber is Key: A tight, horizontal chamber (knee pointed at the target) is essential for power and speed.
Pivot: The standing foot must pivot completely; the heel should point towards the target at the moment of impact.
The Side Kick:
Purpose: A powerful, linear thrusting kick aimed at an opponent's torso or head. It is one of the most powerful kicks, generating force through a direct push from the hip.
Stance: Typically thrown from a Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Pivot your standing foot to point your heel at the target. Lift your kicking knee high up to your chest, turning your hip over so the kicking leg's side is parallel to the ground.
Execution: Thrust your foot directly outward in a straight line from the chamber. Strike the target with the knife-edge (Balnal) or the heel (Dwichuk) of your foot.
Retraction: Pull the leg straight back along the same path, returning to the high chamber position.
Recovery: Lower your leg and return to a solid stance.
Key Points to Remember:
Hip Alignment: Your hips must be "pushed over" and aligned with the kick. Imagine kicking through a target that is directly to your side.
The Thrust: This is a pushing kick, not a snapping kick. Power comes from the extension of your leg and the push from your hip.
Stability: Keep your upper body upright and your hands guarding your chest. Avoid leaning.
These kicks build upon your foundation, adding new angles, strategies, and power generation to your arsenal.
The Push Kick
Purpose: A strategic kick used to break an opponent's balance, create distance, or disrupt their attack. It uses pushing force rather than penetrating force.
Stance: Typically thrown from a Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi) or a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Identical to the Front Kick (Ap Chagi). Lift your kicking knee directly up towards your chest, pulling your toes back.
Execution: From the chamber, thrust your leg forward, making contact with the entire sole (Balbadak) of your foot. Push through the target, transferring your body weight forward.
Retraction: Unlike a snapping kick, you may follow through slightly more. Then, actively push off the target to retract your leg back to the chamber.
Recovery: Quickly return your foot to the ground, ideally in a stable stance that maintains the newly created distance.
Key Points to Remember:
Push, Don't Snap: The goal is to shove the opponent, not to strike through them.
Use Your Weight: Lean your body into the kick to add significant pushing power.
Target: Aim for the opponent's stomach, hips, or thigh to effectively break their posture.
The Axe kick:
Purpose: A kick that travels downward to strike the opponent's head, collar bone, or shoulder. It uses the hammer-like force of the heel or the bottom of the foot.
Stance: Typically thrown from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Lift your leg straight up in front of you as high as your flexibility allows, like a high Front Kick chamber.
Execution: From the high position, forcefully bring your leg straight down, as if chopping with an axe. Strike the target with the heel (Dwichuk) or the bottom of the foot (Balbadak).
Retraction: After impact, continue the downward motion slightly to dissipate force, then immediately return to a ready position.
Recovery: Regain your balance in your fighting stance.
Key Points to Remember:
Height and Flexibility: The effectiveness of this kick relies on being able to chamber the leg high above the target.
Downward Force: Power comes from gravity and the powerful downward pull of your leg muscles.
Control: Do not "throw" the kick wildly. Maintain control to avoid injury to your own hamstrings.
The Back Kick:
Purpose: A powerful, surprising thrust directly backward to counter an opponent attacking from the rear. It is one of the most powerful kicks in Taekwondo.
Stance: Begins from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Pivot your head and shoulders to look over your shoulder at the target. Simultaneously, lift your kicking knee straight up, folding the leg tightly so your heel is pulled towards your opposite buttock.
Execution: Thrust your foot straight backward in a direct line, like a piston. Strike the target with the heel (Dwichuk). Your body should be leaning forward over your standing leg.
Retraction: Immediately pull your leg straight back along the same path, returning to the tight chamber.
Recovery: Place your foot down while turning your body back to face the front, returning to your fighting stance.
Key Points to Remember:
Look at Your Target: Your eyes must find the target over your shoulder before you kick.
Straight Line: The kick should travel straight back. Avoid swinging your leg in an arc.
Lean Forward: Leaning your upper body forward counterbalances the backward thrust and keeps you stable.
These kicks incorporate spinning, hooking motions, and advanced tactics to outmaneuver and surprise an opponent.
The Hook Kick:
Purpose: A deceptive kick that travels in a circular path to hook around an opponent's guard and strike the head or side with the heel.
Stance: Typically thrown from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Begin by throwing a shallow Dollyo Chagi (Roundhouse Kick), but do not extend fully. Your leg should swing across the front of your body.
Execution: From the chamber, snap your lower leg back in a whip-like "hooking" motion. Strike the target with your heel (Dwichuk).
Retraction: Immediately after contact, retract your lower leg back to the chamber position.
Recovery: Swing your leg back down and return to your fighting stance.
Key Points to Remember:
The Whip: Power comes from the sudden, sharp snap of the knee, not a wide swing.
Deception: It should start like a roundhouse kick to draw your opponent's block, then hook behind it.
Target: Primarily used as a surprise technique to the side of the head.
The Spin Hook Kick:
Purpose: A highly powerful and advanced version of the hook kick that adds a full spin for maximum force and surprise. It is one of the most spectacular kicks in Taekwondo.
Stance: Begins from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber (The Spin): Pivot on your lead foot and initiate a spin, turning your head and shoulders to look for the target. Keep your arms close for balance.
Execution: As you complete the spin, chamber your kicking leg for a Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi). Once you are facing the target, snap your lower leg out in the whip-like hooking motion. Strike with the heel (Dwichuk).
Retraction: Snap the leg back immediately after impact.
Recovery: Land your kicking foot, regaining balance in your fighting stance.
Key Points to Remember:
Spot Your Target: Your eyes must find the target during the spin. This is crucial for balance and accuracy.
Tight Spin: Keep your spin compact and fast. Do not flail your arms.
Timing: The hook kick motion happens at the very end of the spin, not during it.
Purpose: A sweeping, circular kick used not for striking, but for blocking an incoming attack (like a punch or another kick) or for manipulating an opponent's guard. The In-to-Out (Anuro) variation sweeps outward.
Stance: Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi) or Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Lift your leg straight in front of you.
Execution: Sweep your leg inward (Bakuro) or outward (Anuro) in a large, circular arc. Use the knife-edge (Balnal) of your foot as the blocking surface.
Retraction: Continue the circular motion after the block, bringing your leg back to the front.
Recovery: Place your foot down in a ready stance.
Key Points to Remember:
Circular Path: The power is in the sweeping circle, not a direct impact.
Blocking Tool: It is primarily a defensive technique to redirect attacks.
Control: Maintain balance throughout the wide, circular motion.
Purpose: A close-range, devastating kick aimed at an opponent's knee, shin, or instep to cause injury, break balance, or finish a downed opponent.
Stance: Typically used at very close range from any stance.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Lift your knee high, similar to a front kick chamber.
Execution: Drive your foot straight downward in a stomping motion. Strike with the heel (Dwichuk) or the bottom of the foot (Balbadak).
Retraction: Quickly lift your foot back up after the stomp.
Recovery: Return to a stable stance, ready to follow up.
Key Points to Remember:
Vertical Force: Power comes from the downward drive of your leg and body weight.
Close Range: This is not a long-range technique. It is for when you are chest-to-chest with an opponent.
Target Specific: It is a highly targeted and powerful self-defense technique.
These kicks combine athleticism, precision, and overwhelming power, often used for finishing moves in competition and demonstrations.
Purpose: To close distance suddenly and strike a target with the element of surprise, adding the body's momentum to the power of a standard front kick.
Stance: Begins with a step or from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
The Jump: From a small preparatory step, push off powerfully with your back leg while driving your front knee upward, launching yourself into the air.
Execution: While airborne, chamber your kicking leg and execute a textbook Ap Chagi (Front Kick), striking with the ball of the foot (Balkal).
Retraction: Snap the kicking leg back to the chamber immediately after impact.
Recovery: Land softly on the ball of your foot, bending your knees to absorb the impact, and immediately return to a guarding stance.
-Key Points to Remember:
Height Over Distance: Focus on achieving good height to clear an opponent's guard.
Timing: The kick should be executed at the peak of your jump for maximum reach and power.
Control: The goal is not just to jump, but to jump with control and intention.
Purpose: A spectacular and highly powerful kick used to strike a tall or distant opponent with the combined force of the jump and spin.
Stance: Begins with a step or from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
The Jump and Spin: Push off for a jump while simultaneously initiating a spinning motion, much like a Dwi Chagi. Bring both knees up towards your chest.
Execution: At the peak of your jump, unleash a powerful Dollyo Chagi (Roundhouse Kick), striking with the instep (Junggum). Your hips must rotate fully into the kick.
Retraction: Retract the kicking leg sharply after impact.
Recovery: Land facing your target, absorbing the landing with your knees bent.
Key Points to Remember:
Tuck Your Knees: Pulling both knees up high is the key to a powerful and balanced jump.
Hip Rotation: The power comes from the explosive rotation of your hips in mid-air.
Commitment: This kick requires full commitment to the jump and spin. Hesitation leads to a weak technique.
Flying Side Kick Tutorial
Credit: Alex Wong
Purpose: To project the immense power of a side kick over a distance, often used for board breaking and powerful counter-attacks.
Stance: Often preceded by a run or a powerful step.
Step-by-Step Guide:
The Jump: Drive off your back leg, launching yourself forward and upward. The knee of your kicking leg drives up high.
Execution: In mid-air, thrust your leg into a powerful Yeop Chagi (Side Kick), striking with the heel (Dwichuk). Your body should be horizontal in the air for a moment.
Retraction: Hold the extension for a split second for maximum penetration, then actively pull the leg back.
Recovery: Land with control, typically with the kicking leg swinging through to become your back leg in a new stance.
Key Points to Remember:
Horizontal Thrust: Imagine kicking through a wall. The power is linear and overwhelming.
Body Alignment: Your body, from head to toe, should form a straight line at the moment of impact.
Courage: This kick requires you to commit your entire body to the air and the technique.
Purpose: A tactical kick used to unbalance an opponent by sweeping their standing leg out from under them. It targets the ankle or calf.
Stance: Used at close range from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
Chamber: Lift your kicking leg slightly, bending the knee.
Execution: In a low, horizontal arc, sweep your leg against the back of your opponent's supporting leg (their ankle or calf). Use the instep (Junggum) or shin as the contact point.
Retraction: Continue the sweeping motion through the target, following through to unbalance them completely.
Recovery: As your opponent falls, quickly retract your leg and regain a stable stance to follow up.
Key Points to Remember:
Low and Fast: The kick must be quick and stay low to the ground to be effective.
Timing: Execute it when your opponent's weight is fully on the target leg.
Follow-Through: Do not stop at contact; sweep through the leg to ensure they lose balance.
These kicks represent the peak of athleticism, spatial awareness, and power in Taekwondo. They are advanced techniques primarily used in demonstrations and competitions.
Tornado Kick (360) tutorial:
Credit: Alex Wong
Purpose: A spinning kick that generates immense power by using a full 360-degree turn to strike the target with a roundhouse kick. It's a fundamental building block for all multi-spin kicks.
Stance: Begins from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
The Setup & Pivot: Take a small step with your lead foot to initiate the spin. Pivot on that foot, turning your body 360 degrees. Keep your arms tucked in for momentum.
The Jump: As you complete the first 180 degrees of the spin, push off the ground with both feet, launching into the air while continuing the spin.
Execution: In mid-air, complete the remaining 180 degrees and execute a powerful Dollyo Chagi (Roundhouse Kick) at the peak of your jump, striking with the instep (Junggum).
Recovery: Spot your landing and absorb the impact with bent knees, returning to a stable stance.
Key Points to Remember:
The Set-Up Step: This initial step is crucial for generating the spinning momentum.
Tuck and Jump: Bring your knees up high during the jump for height and rotation control.
Spot Your Target: Your eyes must find the target during the spin to ensure accuracy.
Purpose: An advanced spin kick that adds an extra half-rotation, allowing the kick to be delivered from a more unexpected angle, often as a counter-attack.
Stance: Begins from a Fighting Stance (Gyorugi Sogi).
Step-by-Step Guide:
The Approach: Often uses a "step-behind" or "chasse' step" to build rotational momentum.
The Jump and Spin: Push off powerfully into the air, initiating a fast 540-degree (1.5) spin. Your chest and shoulders lead the rotation.
Execution: At the peak of the rotation, unleash a Yeop Chagi (Side Kick) or a Dwi Chagi (Back Kick). The kicking motion itself helps complete the final part of the spin.
Recovery: Land facing away from the target, quickly turning to regain your guard.
Key Points to Remember:
Momentum is Key: The approach step is everything for generating the necessary spin.
Delay the Kick: Do not kick too early. Let the body spin most of the way before extending the leg.
Core Strength: An incredibly strong core is required to control the rapid rotation.
Purpose: A highly acrobatic and difficult kick requiring extreme power, height, and rotational control. It is a pinnacle demonstration technique.
Stance: Requires a running or powerful hopping start.
Step-by-Step Guide:
The Run-Up: Use a running or hopping approach to generate maximum horizontal and vertical momentum.
The Launch and Tuck: Jump high into the air, simultaneously tucking your knees to your chest and initiating a very fast, tight double spin.
Execution: After completing the first full rotation (360°), prepare the kick. During the second rotation, unleash a Dollyo Chagi (Roundhouse Kick).
Recovery: Spot the ground and land with control, absorbing the impact over a large distance.
Key Points to Remember:
Height and Speed: You need exceptional jump height and fast rotational speed.
The Tuck: The tighter you tuck your body, the faster you will spin.
Incremental Practice: Master the 360° and 540° kicks before ever attempting this.
Note: Full 1080 kick is extremely hard and there is barely any tutorial video found for this kick. You can find people doing full 1080 kick - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yes-4kjKScI,
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ePEo96fpLkw
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CBUY7Ragi3A
Purpose: These are the ultimate feats of human performance in Taekwondo, pushing the limits of physics, athleticism, and skill. They follow the same principles as the 720° kick but require even more height, faster rotation, and flawless technique.
Key Principles for Multi-Spin Kicks:
Momentum: All power comes from the run-up and the initial jump.
The Tuck: The body must be tightly tucked to increase rotational velocity.
The Set-Up: The footwork before the jump is the most important part.
The Spot: The head and eyes must lead the spin to maintain orientation.
The Untuck: Kicking the leg out slows the spin, so it must be timed perfectly for the final rotation.
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