Also called Yoko geri, Yeop chagi, Chassé latéral
The side kick thrusts the leg out sideways and strikes with the heel or outer edge of the foot. With the hips turned side-on it has long reach and real stopping power to the body or thigh. Karate, taekwondo and savate all use it, and a lead-leg side kick is a strong range weapon in kickboxing.
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How to do it
- 1Chamber the kick: lift the knee across your body, foot flexed, heel pointing at the target.
- 2Pivot on the standing foot until its heel points toward the opponent.
- 3Drive the leg out in a straight line, leading with the heel.
- 4Keep your upper body in line with the leg and your hands up.
- 5Re-chamber the knee and set the foot down in stance.
- Striking with the toes or the sole turned up instead of the heel.
- Skipping the pivot, so the hips never turn and the kick has no power.
- Dropping the head and hands forward, which puts you off balance.
Safety: Aim at the pad or the body, never the knee joint, and keep partner contact light.
Drills
Your partner holds a kick shield side-on at stomach height; slide the rear foot up and fire a lead side kick, ten reps a side.
Legends known for it
We teach it in Traditional Striking. A coach will fix the details you can't see yourself. Join now and book your first class for $20, paid online.
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1977–2000
The hook kick extends the leg just past the side of the opponent's head, then snaps the heel back into it from an angle the guard does not cover.…
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