Kicking tips
- Kicking tips
- Starting position
- Guard up
- Kick elements
- Taekwondo kicking
- Kicking power
- Rear leg kicks
- Initial movement
- Raise leg
- Weight shifts
- Arm position
- Pivot
- Knee
- Hip roll
- Chambering
- Leg tension
- Counter-motion
- Foot shape
- Support leg
- Speed
- Height
- Target training
- Full power at end
- Keep straight
- Grabbed kick
- Stretching
- All Pages
Chamber/Extend/Re-chamber
The chamber (cocking of kicking leg) is important since it contracts the powerful leg muscles to prepare them for a power extension through the full range of motion. When power is applied over a longer distance, the power of the kick increases. As the kick extends, the body mass is settled onto the support foot so the support leg may push off the floor to add power to the kick. From a tight chamber, such as for a side thrust kick, the kick may be executed no matter how close the opponent is. If the opponent closes range quickly, the kick may be used to nail the opponent as he or she closes, or, at the worst, the kick may be used to push the opponent backward.
The leg extends, making contact with the target couple of inches before full extension so maximum force occurs during target penetration. If the leg reaches full extension before target contact, the kick misses. If it makes contact too early, power is decreased to the point that the kick becomes a push rather than a strike.
The kick quickly retracts to its chamber position. From the chambered position, another kick may be fired, the chamber may be maintained as a guard, or the foot may be placed at any position of the floor desired by the kicker. If the leg drops to the floor without retracting, it cannot quickly kick again, and the kicker must step forward even if it is not an advantageous move.