Video Description

A high, sweeping kick that travels on a curved path to the head/upper guard without a body spin. From stance, lift the knee across the centerline, open the hip, and let the lower leg arc through. Use it to clear a guard, touch-score to the head, or set up follow-ups.

Arcing Kicks (non-spinning)

Circular (non-spinning)

Description

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.

Course Notes

Variants

An (inside→outside): Foot travels from your centerline outward—good for knocking a high guard aside.
Bakkat (outside→inside): Foot travels from outside in—useful to sneak around the guard and tap the head.
Options: quick lead-leg flick, rear-leg for reach, or a “crescent→axe” hybrid (arc up, drop down).

Key cues

Pivot the support foot enough to open the hips; keep the torso tall.
Chamber across, then let the shin/foot trace a smooth arc.
For scoring/touch: point toes slightly; for clearing/controlling: dorsiflex (toes back).
Re-chamber on the return and recover guard immediately.

Targets

Primary: head/helmet, outer forearm or glove edge (to lift/clear).
Secondary: shoulder/clavicle line (light contact).

Setups

Jab or cut-kick to freeze the stance, then lead-leg crescent.
Fake roundhouse chamber → convert to crescent at the top.
Step off-line to the open side, then Bakkat over the guard.

Common mistakes (fixes)

Locked knee → slight knee bend; drive from the hip, not a stiff leg.
No hip/pivot → turn the base heel away to protect the knee and gain height.
Leaning back/sideways → stay stacked over the support foot; keep core braced.
Dropping hands → opposite hand glued to cheek; kicking-side hand shades the line.
Sloppy foot angle → pick one: toes pointed (top-of-foot) or dorsiflexed (blade/heel edge).

Drills

Line sweep: Tape a vertical line on a bag; An then Bakkat over the line (5×5 each).
Cone arc: Place a cone at guard height; clear it without clipping, re-chamber clean.
Lead-leg flicks: 3×10 fast crescents on a paddle for speed/control.
Convert drill: Roundhouse chamber → mid-air switch to crescent (5×5 each leg).

Safety

Warm up adductors/hip rotators; progress height gradually.
Always pivot to spare the knee; control contact when drilling with partners.