Hook Kicks
In the hook kick, the foot of the kicking leg travels in a hooking motion. This allows the kick to reach around a guard.
The kicking leg is chambered and the kick fires straight forward, just as it is it does in the side kick. The defender will probably think the kick is a straight-in side kick and move to the outside to avoid it. However, the foot is actually aimed at a point about 12 inches from the side of the target. Now, instead of traveling straight forward, the kick begins it hooking motion.
The hip and knee of the kicking leg are pulled in the same direction the target is moving, and do not stop until past the target. Simultaneously, the heel of the kicking foot snaps back toward the kicker's hip. The heel of the kicking foot strikes the side of the target.
The snapping of the foot backward in combination with the pulling of the hip and leg through the target, add force to the kick. Since the heel makes contact, this kick may be devastating.
When in close range, the kick may be slightly changed so as to hook behind the opponent and strike him or her on the back of the head.
Other Hook Kicks
- Aero Spin Whip Kick. The 360° aero spin whip kick is probably the most spectacular Taekwondo kick. Bring your rear leg up in front of you until it is about twelve inches off of the ground. At that point, bring your lead leg up to execute a spin whip kick before the other foot touches the ground. The kick is difficult to control once initiated.
- Jump Hook Kick
- Spin Hook Kick
- Jump-Spin Hook Kick