University of Makati
Arcing kicks travel on a curved path without a body spin, using hip rotation and a whip-like knee extension to bend around an opponent’s guard. They’re quick, versatile, and ideal for creating angles or setting up combinations at mid-range. Key cues: pivot the support foot to open the hips, chamber across the centerline, whip through the arc, then re-chamber and recover guard. Typical targets are the ribs and head; control distance to avoid overreaching.
A straight, sideways kick that drives the heel (or foot blade) into the target. From fighting stance, turn your hips sideways, chamber by pulling your knee to your chest, then thrust your leg straight out so the heel hits the ribs/abdomen (or head for high kicks). Re-chamber quickly and set the foot down with your hands guarding. Think: knee to chest → heel to target → snap back.
Taekwondo Front Kick — Ap Chagi (snap) / Mireo Chagi (thrust/push) Purpose & Feel A straight-line kick that travels on the shortest path from your body to the target. In Taekwondo it’s prized for speed, interruption, and ring control. The front-leg version (“lead-leg stop kick”) is a fast intercept; the rear-leg version adds hip travel for power. You can snap to score or thrust to shove, create space, or break an opponent’s rhythm.