The Awesome Power of the Back Kick

THE AWESOME POWER OF THE BACK KICK

We worked on our back kicks in the advanced class tonight.  We used the mitts to work especially on our target.  After watching them struggle to hit the mitt with authority, I reminded them that (1) posture and spin speed were the keys to an effective kick and (2) the path the hips take to deliver the kick was the key to the power.   Most people are not comfortable performing the back kick, so they tend to avoid practicing it – much like the wheel kick because of its difficulty.

I explained that if your turn is slow the kick will be weak.  If you start with your left foot forward, your hips will be to the right of your forward leg, and if you turn slowly, your hips will have to move from the right side of your forward foot to left before your kick can be released.   This negates a large part of your speed and power on the delivery, and compromises your balance. 

Your hips should be moving in a straight line toward your target from the beginning through the end of the kick.  Before the kick, your weight should be forward with back straight.  On the spin, you should remain upright as you pull your hips from behind your forward leg to ahead of it.  This will ensure that your hips move in a relatively STRAIGHT line toward your target as you snap them into kicking position.  With a thrust of your planted foot toward your target and straightening of the leg, release your hips and kicking leg at the last split second.  This will insure full power on your delivery!

After this drill, I described my tournament years, and how I first used the back kick in competition AND learned of its awesome power!  We were competing in an open  tournament, which included martial artist from across the state.  I was paired with Delroy Griffith, who at that time was Kotaka sensei’s (IKF) champion.  He was about 6 feet tall, slim, and quick.  My reputation must have preceded me because he seemed to not want to engage with me initially.  I attacked several times with punch combinations, and each time he backed up to avoid getting scored upon.  On my final attack, he again backed up.  But this time I saw him plant his back leg and cock his arm and shoulders to deliver a reverse punch.  I quickly stepped down and pivoted, delivering a back kick into his mid-section as he attempted to deliver the punch.  I felt the kick penetrate, and when I completed my spin I saw his face turn white as he dropped to his knees, gasping for air.  He was unable to continue, so I was awarded the win.

Word spread quickly after that tournament, and although the competitors were aware and fearful of my back kick, I was still able to use it to score in other tournaments!  Many, if not most, of my “victims” were bigger, stronger, and heavier than I was!  Thus, I  earned the title of “giant killer”!

11/16/24