Side Kick (Yeop Chagi) Introduction: From the Cage to Poomsa

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The Side Kick (Yeop Chagi) is one of the most fundamental and crucial kicking techniques in Taekwondo. In Korean, "Yeop (옆)" means "side," and "Chagi (차기)" means "kick." As the name suggests, the side kick is executed using the side of the body.

Characteristics and Advantages

The attacking power of a side kick primarily comes from the rotation of the hips and the linear extension of the leg towards the target. The main striking points are typically the foot blade (the outer edge of the foot) or the heel. It's a highly effective kick because it is:

  • Powerful: By fully utilizing the body's center of gravity and the explosive power of the hip joint, the side kick delivers immense penetration and pushing force.
  • Linear Attack: The side kick follows a straight trajectory, allowing it to effectively cut through an opponent's guard and hit the target directly.
  • Wide Range of Attack: Whether attacking an opponent's midsection (like the abdomen or ribs) or head, the side kick is effective and offers a significant distance advantage.
  • Stable Balance: When executed correctly, the supporting foot provides excellent balance, aiding in the kick's retraction and subsequent movements.

Key Technical Points

When performing a side kick, the main technical points include:

  1. Ready Stance: Stand with your body sideways to the target, hands protecting your body.
  2. Knee Lift and Chamber: Lift the kicking leg's knee as high as possible towards your chest, keeping your heel close to your glutes and your toes pulled back, aiming the foot blade or heel at the target.
  3. Turn and Extend: Rotate the heel of your supporting foot, powerfully rotating your hip forward, and push the kicking leg in a straight line towards the target until it's fully extended.
  4. Recoil: After the kick, quickly retract the leg along the same path, bringing the knee back towards your chest, then return to a defensive stance or prepare for the next action.



Applications in Sparring

In sparring, the side kick is highly effective for maintaining distance, countering an opponent's attack, or delivering a powerful blow to the body or head.



Applications in Poomsae

The Side Kick plays a crucial role in Taekwondo Poomsae (forms). From the fundamental Taeguk Poomsae to the more advanced Black Belt Poomsae, the side kick appears in various forms and combinations. For example:

  • Both Taeguk Sa Jang (Taeguk 4) and Taeguk Oh Jang (Taeguk 5) include the side kick, used to practice its basic technique and power.
  • In the higher-level Koryo Poomsae, an even more challenging "Double Side Kick" is featured, demanding practitioners possess enhanced balance and explosive power.

Taeguk 4 (Part 2 - 8:22):

  1. Right Swallowing Block (Oreun Jebipum Anmakgi)
  2. Right Front Kick followed by Left Middle Punch (Oreun Apchagi + Oen Momtong Jireugi)
  3. Left Side Kick (Oen Yeopchagi)
  4. Right Side Kick followed by Right Knife-Hand Assisted Block (Oreun Yeopchagi + Oreun Sonal Geodeureomakgi)



Taeguk 5 (Part 4 - 9:50):

  1. Left Upward Block (Oen Ulgul Ollyeo Makgi)
  2. Right Side Kick followed by Left Elbow Target Strike (Oreun Yeopchagi + Oen Palggumchi Pyojeokchigi)
  3. Right Upward Block (Oreun Ulgul Ollyeo Makgi)
  4. Left Side Kick followed by Right Elbow Target Strike (Oen Yeopchagi + Oreun Palggumchi Pyojeokchigi)
  5. Left Downward Block followed by Right Middle Inward Block (Oen Arae Naeryeo Makgi + Oreun Momtong Anmakgi)
  6. Right Front Kick followed by Right Back-Fist Strike (Oreun Apchagi + Oreun Deungjumeok Apchigi)



Koryo Poomsae:


For effective Side Kick (Yeop Chagi) home training, focus on perfecting your balance and form through slow, controlled repetitions without a target, using a mirror to check your technique, and you can learn more by watching this helpful video:


In summary, the side kick is not only a powerful weapon in Taekwondo but also a vital indicator of a practitioner's technical proficiency and body coordination. Mastering the side kick is an essential process for every Taekwondo practitioner.

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