The Reverse Side Kick of Taekwondo

The Reverse Side Kick found in Taekwondo is among the most powerful kicks in all of the martial arts! In Traditional Songahm Taekwondo, we teach this kick by developing the Basic Side Kick first, which allows the student to learn the fundamentals required to execute this kick with fluidity and power. This includes pivoting, chambering the leg, ankle/foot position, body alignment and the direction of the kick.

For those interested in a little bit of martial arts history, this kick was first made popular by the legendary Chuck Norris, who had studied Tang Soo Do, also known as “Korean Karate”(the name was officially changed to Taekwondo in 1955), in South Korea. Most sport practitioners of the martial arts in the United States weren’t familiar with the ‘reverse’ techniques found in Taekwondo at the time Norris was competing, and it gave him a definite edge in tournaments.

While it would be nearly impossible to develop a quality Reverse Side Kick or Jump Reverse Side Kick from looking at a few videos on a website, for those who have already learned the basics of the traditional Taekwondo Side Kick and the Reverse Side Kick from a Certified Instructor, watching these kicks performed in a few videos may prove helpful.

Below are several short videos of KFMA Black Belts performing the Reverse Side Kick and the Jump Reverse Side Kick. Some are in full-speed so you can get a look at the power in the techniques, and some are in slow-motion allowing you to see the details and precision used in executing these kicks at this level. By using these videos to visualize the techniques, you will find it easier to develop them properly when you practice physically in the dojang with the guidance of your Instructor.

The Reverse and Jump Reverse Side Kick

Reverse Side Kick Videos

Slow-Motion Reverse Side Kicks

When you watch the following two videos in slow-motion, note the chamber of the knee and and ankle brought up so that the kicking leg is parallel to the floor, allowing for a straight extension into the target. This also prevents kicking your sparring partners below the belt!

Full-Speed Reverse Side Kicks

Watching these two videos in full-speed will give you a feel for the incredible power provided by this kick. It also emphasizes why we focus on control of our power when sparring with partners.

Reverse Side Kick Board Break

Watching a board break in slow-motion allows you to see all of the details and how much power is generated by this kick. As stated above, the Reverse Side Kick found in Taekwondo is among the most powerful kicks in all of the martial arts!

Jump Reverse Side Kick Videos

Slow-Motion Jump Reverse Side Kicks

When you watch the following two videos in slow-motion, note the elevation begins immediately, allowing for rotation in the air. You’ll also notice the chamber of the knee and and ankle brought up so that the kicking leg is parallel to the floor, allowing for a straight extension into the target to maximize power.

Full-Speed Jump Reverse Side Kicks

Watching these videos in full-speed allows you to see just how important it is to practice your basics thousands of times to develop the muscle memory needed to execute every element of the jump kick at full speed without hesitation. With enough quality training, the body knows what to do when it’s time to perform!

Jump Reverse Side Kick Board Break

Watching a slow-motion video of the Jump Reverse Side Kick during a board break allows you to see the precision and timing needed to perform such a powerful kick with accuracy!

A Quick Note on Breaking Boards

Please do not attempt to practice board breaks at home or without the supervision of a Certified Instructor! There are several important details in how the holders are positioned to safely hold the board, and to ensure that the kicker and the holders remain free of injury. Another point worth mentioning is that we typically use “rebreakable boards” instead of real wood as this is better for the environment, in that no trees are being cut down to provide the wood. At KFMA we only use ‘real wood’ for special demonstrations.

Remember, to develop a powerful Reverse or Jump Reverse Side Kick, you must first master the basics of the Basic Side Kick. For detailed info on how to do that, please take a look at this article: https://teamkowkabany.com/how-to-develop-a-powerful-side-kick/

Kowkabany’s Family Martial Arts has been serving the Westchase, Odessa and Oldsmar communities in Tampa for almost 30 years, with all classes being taught by Chief Masters Laura and David Kowkabany. We are located at 13910 Monroes Business Park, just two doors down from the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. For more information, please feel free to contact us at 813-540-5528.

For those who don’t live in our area and are looking for a quality martial arts school, here is a directory that may prove helpful: https://go2karate.com/