Complete Kicking (27 page)

key points

Once you commit to a jumping kick, never give up in the middle. If you’ve developed a jump kick to the point where you feel confident enough to use it against an opponent, be bold and fearless.

striking area

Knee, ball, shin, toes, bottom of the foot

targets

1. face

2. temple

3. neck

4. chest

5. solar plexus

6. kidney

JUMPING FRONT KICK

how to

1. From fighting stance, flex your knees slightly then start your jump by bringing your rear foot forward as you rotate your body 180° into the kick.

2. Bring both legs up with your knees bent, your arms close to your body and your kicking leg in front. Your feet should come up under your buttocks and your torso should be perpendicular to the ground to maintain your balance in the air.

3. At the peak of your jump, snap your front foot at the target while pulling your other leg up toward your buttocks. Hunch your head and torso slightly forward into the kick. Land in fighting stance.

JUMPING DROP KICK

how to

1. From fighting stance, flex your knees slightly then start your jump by bringing your rear foot forward as you rotate your body 180° into the kick.

2. Bring both legs up with your knees bent, your arms close to your body and your kicking leg in front. Your feet should come up under your buttocks and your torso should be perpendicular to the ground to maintain your balance in the air.

3. At the peak of your jump, snap your front foot downward into the target while keeping your torso upright. Land in fighting stance.

VARIATION: Drop the ball of the foot downward into the abdomen or solar plexus on impact. Land in fighting stance.

JUMPING AXE KICK

how to

1. From fighting stance, flex your knees slightly then start your jump by bringing your rear foot forward as you rotate your body 180° into the kick.

2. Bring both legs up with your knees bent, your arms close to your body and your kicking leg in front. Your feet should come up under your buttocks and your torso should be perpendicular to the ground to maintain your balance in the air.

3. At the peak of your jump, raise your front knee and foot as high as possible then drop it on the target, striking with the heel or bottom of the foot. Land in fighting stance.

JUMPING ROUNDHOUSE KICK

how to

1. From fighting stance, lower your posture to prepare to jump.