What makes Taekwondo unique among other martial arts? If you asked aficionados and martial experts or instructors, many of them will tell you that what makes this sport unique among others are the kicks.
Taekwondo is made up of several types of kicks, which are called ‘chagi’, and these kicks are executed in different ways.
Part of the differences of these kicks includes the height of execution, jump, spin, or a combination of all of these. In this post, we will talk about Taekwondo, its benefits, and the different types of kicks you will find.
We will also determine which, out of all the different kicks, is the hardest kick in Taekwondo. So read on to find out the answer!
The Kicks in Taekwondo
Until the 1990s, Taekwondo was undisputedly the most popular martial art in the world. Practiced by millions around the world, and made popular by movies, this martial art enjoyed unrivaled popularity all around the world.
Although it isn’t as popular as before, it is still one of the more popular martial arts and has been an Olympic sport since the turn of the century. This martial art has its origins in Korea, and while it teaches you how to defend yourself and meditate, Taekwondo aims to strike.
To that end, there are several types of kicks in Taekwondo. In this section, we will consider some of the most powerful kicks.
1. 540 Kick
The first kick we will consider is known by different names. Although we refer to it as the 540 kick, others call it the inside turning or tornado kick.
Just like a tornado, this is a powerful kick that involves, as the name suggests, rotating 540 degrees. Some have said that the actual rotation of the body for this kick should be just 360 degrees and the remaining degrees implemented in the build-up to the kick.
This is a very powerful kick in which one leg is used for take-off, kicking, and landing. Sounds advanced, right? Yes, it does. The tornado kick is a dangerous kick, not just for the recipient, but for the kicker too.
It is a pretty difficult kick to execute and is a mark of expertise. This kick isn’t practical in actual combat and is usually only found in Taekwondo demonstrations. Before trying it, you must know how to execute it because a wrong execution can badly damage your knees and ankles.
The 540 kick might not appear to be dangerous – until you are at the receiving end! When properly executed, this kick crushes the foot into the rival’s body and can damage the internal organs, break ribs, or even knock him out!
To execute the kick involves combining angular acceleration, velocity, and body rotation.
2. Multiple Side Kicks
This type of kick is another powerful type of kick that offers even more effectiveness than the 540 kick that we mentioned above. Unlike the 540 kick where you need to leave the ground, with this kick, you do not leave the ground.
Multiple kicks have the knee of the kicking leg high. It is like something out of the Mortal Kombat movie and games, especially promoted by Johnny Cage. The knee of the kicking leg is lifted high and you perform several fast sidekicks successively.
You can do it as many times as you like, combining to kick different parts of the opponent’s body in rapid succession. Thus, a triple sidekick might involve kicking the knee, abdomen, and the head.
Although it might not be as devastating as the 540 kick, it will give you more points during a friendly spar. It also proves very effective in self-defense.
3. Jumping Three Directional Kick
This is another excellent type of kick in Taekwondo. Here, you aim to kick out at multiple attackers at the same time.
As the name implies, you have to jump in the air, utilizing the lead leg to execute a twisting front kick. The trailing leg is then used to perform a sidekick in the opposite direction. It is completed by using the lead leg to perform a roundhouse kick and landing on both feet.
4. Reflex Kick
The fourth type of kick is the ‘Balsa Chagi’. In this kick, you run up the wall, jump and land one foot on the wall, then use the wall to push yourself away to jump even higher and with more force.
As you return, the other leg kicks out as you are in the air.
This type of kick comes in very handy if you are caught by an attacker or attackers in a corner. As described above, this isn’t an easy kick to execute by any means.
5. Back Kick
The back kick is one of the most dangerous and most powerful kicks in Taekwondo. It is a very precise kick that can send your opponent flying away from you. Defending the mid-section is difficult in Taekwondo, and the block will not be of much assistance.
With this kick, you hit the opponent with your heel. As you turn, the rear leg becomes your leading leg – allowing you to continue an attack with a crescent, roundhouse, or double kick. When executed properly, you can send your opponent flying and hit him with a force up to 30 mph!.
This kick comes with subgenres. There is the ‘Yop dwi chaggi’ which is a brutal attack in which the leading leg feints. There is also the reverse tornado type. This kick appears like you are stepping forward, but you rotate and kick with the leading leg just before the trailing leg touches the floor.
6. Spinning Hook Kick
This is the last kick that we will discuss, and we seem to have saved the best for last. This is, according to several experts and masters, one of the most powerful kicks in Taekwondo. It combines all of the important parts of the art – the rotation, delivery, momentum, execution, and victory.
Whether you are attacking or counterattacking, this kick can work in different situations. In fact, when done properly, it can hardly be defended. It will go through your opponent’s block with a brutal force. When used on a cornered opponent, it will likely guarantee your victory.
If you are defending, it can be harder for you to execute this kick. If you are using an orthodox stance, you can only successfully use this kick if the opponent is attacking with the left leg or arm. You have to be pretty quick about it too so that he is caught between attacking and defending.
Why Taekwondo is awesome
From health professionals to teachers and other experts, many proffer martial arts as a way of adding value to a person. Taekwondo is a martial art that offers you plenty of benefits, some of which may be physical while others are intangible benefits. The benefits range from the obvious – being able to defend yourself, – to the more obscure.
While there are several types of martial arts, each one offers unique benefits. They come with unique qualities, and many have chosen to go with Taekwondo as their martial art of choice.
In this section, we will consider some of the benefits of Taekwondo and why it is so awesome.
1. Improved Muscle Toning
The kicks and strikes of Taekwondo will certainly help to improve muscle toning. As you practice regularly, you will observe that you have shed off unnecessary weight and have gained some muscle mass.
2. Better Stamina
Rigorously engaging in Taekwondo and the kicks and help you to have better stamina. You might have a hard time at first, but as you continue, you will find it easier to perform different types of moves. With the strain of these comes better stamina over time.
3. Improved Confidence
As you see yourself improving at performing different types of kicks you will enjoy more confidence. The advanced kicks, like those that we have considered in this article, require that you are confident in yourself. When you are successful at executing these kicks, you will gain more confidence and self-esteem.
4. Better Reflexes
With Taekwondo, you might observe that you can handle things that usually might be too fast for you. Martial arts generally train you to have faster reflexes, but Taekwondo provides another way to achieve that level of control and speed.
5. Flexibility
The kicks that you will perform in Taekwondo require a great deal of flexibility. As you practice more, you will feel yourself getting more flexible.
Conclusion
Taekwondo is an excellent martial art that has loads of benefits. The above kicks are complex and powerful. Although they are only practiced by experts and advanced Taekwondo practitioners, with practice, concentration, and determination, you can also know how to execute them.
Note that some of these kicks are quite dangerous and are even banned in certain tournaments. They are so powerful that should be a last resort due to their danger. From our research and from what the experts say, the Spinning Hook Kick is the hardest in Taekwondo.
We hope that you enjoyed this article on the hardest kicks in Taekwondo.