AOKK Advanced Kicking Technique: Jumping Side Kick [Side Stance]

Jumping side-kick eliminates the loss of power and speed when kicking above the waist by raising the kicker’s center line while jumping straight up into the air. From a side-stance lower your hip line and simply jump straight up tuck the leg and execute a side thrust kick.  This kick requires a high vertical lift. Not many students have the leg strength to pull this kick off.

The problem with this kick is in the fact that while the karateka is in the air, he/she is vulnerable. Remember, what goes up must come down, and the first reaction to this kick for the defender is to retreat out of the way, but the crafty veteran fighter will wait until the kicker is landing to initiate his/her blitz attack. Landing is critical too because outside the dojo surfaces are uneven, and a mishap means your in the third range of fighting or on your back. This is a quick kick and difficult to execute correctly, and it is not as powerful as other techniques.

• Move into a side stance.
• Bend your knees and lower your centerline.
• Jump upwards and drive the foot forwards.
• Strike with heel of the foot.