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Types of Kicks

Snap Kicks

A snap kick uses a striking action that recoils as soon as contact is made. This minimizes contact time so the shock of the blow cannot be reabsorbed into the body. When delivering any kick, the kicker is vulnerable because kicks are delivered while standing on one leg. This is especially true when kicking toward high targets which are within the opponent's reach. Snap kicks overcome this to some degree because the recoil retracts the kicking foot before an opponent has a chance to grab the leg. The recoil also allows the kicker to draw the body together quickly and then use the drive from the supporting leg to deliver a powerful follow-through technique after the kick.

In a snap kick, the knee serves as a hinge. The foot travels toward the target in an arc and returns as quickly as possible to a position of having the knee fully bent The knee serves a guide for the foot as it must be lifted and turned so that the foot strikes the target surface at a 90 degree angle. For power and stability, the foot must snap out and back as quickly as possible. The hips should move toward the target and back slightly in harmony with the movement of the kicking foot, to use the backup mass of the body. Snap kicks are seldom used in traditional Taekwondo.

Thrust Kicks

In a thrust kick, the lower leg is thrust toward the target with the foot leading the way, much the same way that the fore fist and forearm are used in a punch. Thrust kicks use the large, heavy muscles of the hips as well as the muscles in the thighs so they are potentially the most powerful techniques in Taekwondo. Just as with a punch, the path to the target should be as short and as straight as possible. It is important to start with a light, quick movement and then concentrate all the body's power at the point of impact. The most important factor in thrust kicking is proper distance. If contact is made sooner than anticipated, or if the target is just out of range, the kick will not be effective and the balance of the kicker can be easily disrupted.

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