Kick

A kick is a physical strike delivered using the leg.

This action can involve many different parts of the lower body. A person might strike with the foot, the heel, the tibia, or the ball of the foot. They may also use the blade of the foot, the toes, or even the knee. Because human legs are longer and stronger than arms, kicks are highly effective tools. They allow a person to maintain distance from an opponent and deliver substantial damage. In many combat systems, a kick is a trade-off between power and range and the loss of stability.

There are several fundamental types of kicks used in various disciplines. The roundhouse kick involves swinging the leg in a circular motion. The attacker may hit with the instep, the shin, or the ball of the foot. In kickboxing, this is a very common move because of its immense power. A front kick requires raising the knee and then extending the leg toward a target.

Practitioners often use the ball of the foot for forward strikes or the toes for upward strikes. The side kick is delivered sideways in relation to the body. In Korean, this is called yeop chagi, and in Chinese, it is known as cè chuài.

This move often uses the heel to strike hard targets like the ribs or the jaw.

Advanced practitioners can perform much more complex movements. The axe kick, also known as a hammer kick, involves a descending motion. The leg rises in an arc and then the heel drops down like a blade.

In Japanese, this is called kakato-geri. Another complex move is the butterfly kick. This involves a large circular motion with both feet in succession. This motion makes the combatant airborne, appearing like a slanted aerial cartwheel.

These advanced kicks often combine basic movements with jumping or spinning.

Kicking has a deep and diverse history across many cultures. The English verb "to kick" appeared in the late 14th century. It may have come from the Old Norse word "kikna," meaning to bend backwards or sink at the knees. While human aggression involving kicks likely dates to prehistory, high kicks are specifically linked to East Asian martial arts. One theory suggests high kicks developed in Northern Chinese martial arts to strike vital points. Another theory points to Taekkyon, an ancient Korean foot-fighting art used for exercise and self-defense.

Modern Taekwondo kicks bear a strong resemblance to these Taekkyon movements.

Historical records show that kicking has been documented in many ways. The Indian epic, the Mahabharata, was compiled before the 5th century AD. It describes a battle where combatants "gave each other violent kicks."

In Cambodia, stone carvings in Khmer Empire temples depict kicks above the waist. In Thailand, the art of Muay Boran was developed under the rule of Rama V between 1868 and 1910. While earlier boxing forms existed during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the specific technical details remain unclear. Even 17th-century frescoes in the Shaolin temple show depictions of low kicks.

In modern times, the application of kicks varies by setting. In self-defense, experts like Marc Macyoung suggest aiming no higher than the waist or stomach. This helps the person maintain balance and avoid being grabbed. Low kicks are often preferred in street fights because they are quicker and harder to see. In sport martial arts, the utility of high kicks is sometimes debated. Some believe flying kicks are used for aesthetic reasons or conditioning. Others argue that tournament rules, such as limiting contests to stand-up fighting, encourage high kicks.

Despite these debates, kicks remain a central part of many professional combat sports. In mixed martial arts, some fighters use them sporadically. However, others like Lyoto Machida, Edson Barboza, and Donald Cerrone rely heavily on them. These fighters have achieved multiple knockouts using kicking techniques. Kicking is also a fundamental element of many global sports. The most famous example is association football, which many people call soccer. Whether in a professional ring or on a football pitch, the leg remains a primary tool for movement and impact.