Sparring Kicks
Side Snap Kick
The side snap kick is karate based but it has a use in Taekwondo, contrary to my first Taekwondo instructor, Master Ko. I once used a side snap kick while sparring and was so severely chastised that I never used it again for years.
The Taekwondo side thrust kick is chambered hip high and is re-chambered high. From its high chamber, it may then be easily thrown either high, middle, or low in a powerful, linear motion that is practically impossible to block. The only way to avoid it is to move the body backward or sideways. From the high re-chamber, it may then again be easily thrown either high, middle, or low.
The karate side snap kick is chambered to the knee, if chambered at all. From this low chamber, it lacks the power of the side thrust kick and it is easily blocked with any type of low block as the kick rises. However, it does have one use. Since the side snap kick travels upward from the floor, it may easily be slipped under an opponent's guard to strike the abdomen or lower ribs. For use in Taekwondo, the kick should be re-chambered high so a side thrust, hook, or round kick may be used next. In Taekwondo, the side snap kick is a one shot attack for a specific purpose.