By Simon Scher
Most martial artists would agree that the “big five” kicks are the front kick, roundhouse kick, side kick, hook kick and back kick. Of the lot, the side kick is the most powerful—and the most misunderstood. That’s because it’s the most difficult to learn and execute correctly. So few martial artists can perform it properly because so few instructors teach it correctly.
What makes the side kick different from other kicks? First, the side kick is the only one that attacks along a straight line that extends out from the side of the body. It uses the gluteus muscle, one of the largest in the body. It strikes with the heel, which is very solid in comparison to the small bones in the top of the foot. The side kick is always performed with a full 180-degree pivot, which means the hips fully turn over. And it’s thrown with the standing leg straight to provide maximum rebound resistance. That’s a lot to get right.
THE SHORTCOMINGS
Much can go wrong when you attempt a side kick. If you don’t understand which muscles are supposed to come into play, you might not fully execute the pivot. As a result, your side kick will end up resembling a bad pushing front kick, and it will lack the muscle participation required to attain maximum power.
If you don’t take pains to master its full range of motion, you might not chamber it correctly. That will leave your side kick looking like a weak roundhouse kick.
If you throw the side kick while lifting your leg—as opposed to chambering high and then striking at a downward angle, with gravity—you might smash your foot into your opponent’s lead elbow. That hurts. Or you might inadvertently sap its power. The force of the kick comes from putting your body behind the technique, which can’t happen if you lift the kick into the target.
THE EVIDENCE
Often when I visit martial arts schools, I’m shocked to see all the sloppy side kicks. Students seldom do the technique correctly in class. The average practitioner will throw more than 20,000 roundhouse kicks on his journey from white belt to black belt, but he’ll throw fewer than 3,000 side kicks. That doesn’t make sense. It would seem that if the side kick is more difficult and more powerful, the teacher should have students practice it more often.
The reason the side kick suffers is it’s harder to teach and harder to learn, and many teachers don’t understand it, perhaps because their teacher didn’t take the time to drill it into them. Whatever the reason, this epidemic needs a cure.
THE THEORY
It’s not enough to learn to do the side kick correctly; you must understand the strategic importance of the technique. A lead-leg side kick is useful for repelling a rushing opponent. It’s perhaps the only tool that will let you maintain a sideways orientation while striking powerfully at a target directly in front of you.
The side kick is the best technique to use when your opponent switches stances because it enables you to take advantage of his momentary full-facing orientation. The turning version of the kick is invaluable when you want your opponent to begin retreating so you can gain the offensive. No matter the variation, the side kick is your power play, your key to smashing through someone’s guard and off-balancing or destroying him.
THE PRACTICE
Start by placing one hand against the wall so you don’t have to worry about your balance—that comes later, once technique is mastered. Pre-pivot on what will be your support leg until your big toe points to the wall. This will get your muscles used to turning your body the right amount.
The next step is to perform four separate moves on four counts: One, lift your kicking leg and aim your heel at the target. Make sure your knee is higher than your foot and roughly in front of your sternum. If your knee is below your foot, the force of the kick will go down into the ground through your knee, not into the target through your heel. If your knee is not in line with your sternum, your heel won’t be aimed at the target and won’t travel to it in a straight line.
Two, straighten your kicking leg, keeping your heel and knee at the same level they are. Imagine that you have a laser pointer on your heel. Try to keep the dot it would emit on the target; don’t let it waver at any point in the kick.
Three, pull your leg back to position one.
Four, place your foot back on the floor. If you put it down earlier, you won’t develop the muscles you need to throw a good side kick with grace and control.
THE MISTAKES
When attempting a turning or rear-leg side kick, remember to re-chamber your leg after the kick. If you don’t and the kick misses, you won’t be able to throw a follow-up kick. If you don’t re-chamber before pivoting back to your starting position, you’ll be vulnerable, standing on one leg with your torso exposed to your opponent.
It’s also crucial to keep your upper body erect and your lead hand up during the side kick. That’s especially challenging when the wall is removed from the training environment because you might feel compelled to maneuver to maintain your balance.
Once you no longer need to use the wall for support, you should still run through all four counts of the drill. As you become more comfortable, you can start pivoting as you kick. After that, try the turning and spinning variations of the technique.
THE BIG PICTURE ABOUT SIDE KICKS
The side kick is perhaps the most important tool in your arsenal and certainly the strongest strike you can generate. Don’t avoid it in class because it’s difficult or because you don’t do it well. Its versatility and effectiveness are worth the hours of practice it takes to master it.
