How to Side Kick - Tips for Power and Balance

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Bad side kicks... you see them everywhere. Movies, commercials... even in kickboxing and martial arts classes!
Here are three tips to help anyone learn how to side kick with more power and better balance.
First off, I'm a big fan of proper body alignment. In fact, I think your body can teach you more than your instructor! Here are two questions to ask your body about the side kick...
QUESTION 1: Should I kick sideways or towards my rear?
Try this: Swing your leg forward and backward. Now side to side. Which feels better?
QUESTION 2: Should I kick with my heel or the blade?
Try this: Stomp on your heels. Now on the side of your foot-- actually, don't do that! It hurts!
If your body is like mine, you just learned this about the side kick--
1) A side kick is not executed to the side.
2) You should kick with the heel, not the side of your foot.
The reason for both is simple-
Your foot, knee, and hip deliver and receive pressure along the joints, not across them.
Putting pressure across your ankle, knee, or hip is a surefire way to get injured. As a rule, the higher you kick, the more you should turn your body.
Based on all that, here are three side kick tips direct from your body--
1: Turn your support foot so the line of force runs along the foot, not across the foot.
2: Kick with the heel. When I kick with my heel, there’s bone and muscle behind it.
3: Get your butt in line. Align your glutes between your torso and the kicking foot. If you remember nothing else, remember this-
aim your butt, kick their butt!
The key to accomplishing all of this is in executing a full pivot. I leave the timing up to you. Just make sure that when your foot strikes the target, your body is in the same natural position as when you swing your leg and stomp your heel.
The big lesson? Listen to your body. It can teach you a lot more than just how to side kick! :)
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Keep fighting for a happy life! :)
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WARNING: The advice and movements shown in this video are for informational and educational purposes only. Consult a doctor before engaging in any exercise or martial arts program.

[@Jon-Gardner]

You’ve just fixed my side kick in 6 minutes - thank you so much! It now feels stronger and more natural to throw.

[@AndoMierzwa]

That makes me very happy! Thank you for the comment!

[@wassimwassim2660]

"Listen to your body", You said it all with these worlds, great video! (y) Greetings from Tunisia. :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

That really is the best advice! Thank you from the U.S.A! :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hey! Different styles call kicks by different names. So, for anyone who thinks I'm throwing a back kick and not a side kick... A back kick -- FOR ME -- is when you turn 180 degrees away from the target and kick with your toes straight down. The side kick is close, but not the same. Whatever you call your kicks, hopefully we can agree on using the natural movements of the body.

[@meep9001]

thank you soooo much the whole time i tried to do a side kick it would always end up comming out as a round house until i heard the saying "aim your but to kick their but" thatnks man this helped me alot!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Thanks for letting me know! :)

[@princevines8930]

Sir can u tell me what does u wear

[@princevines8930]

I meant shoes

[@AndoMierzwa]

Just the basic Adidas Tae Kwon Do shoe.

[@BeyondSoul1.]

hell yes I'm subscribing. its 4 am and I was wondering if my form was right. it was not. thank you.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Ha! My next piece of advice.... get some sleep! Thanks! :)

[@PoppingMagic]

Great advice! This has improved my side kick by miles! Thank you!

[@AndoMierzwa]

That makes me incredibly happy! Thanks for letting me know!

[@developerninja619]

Ando Mierzwa your side kick isn't technically correct. You gotta stay turned with your side while you strike

[@munadchili6420]

@@AndoMierzwa i have a questio when you side kick should you lift your knee straigth up ore 45 degres up?

[@AndoMierzwa]

@@munadchili6420 You should be able to kick from any position! Sometimes my foot comes straight out to the target... sometimes it winds around... sometimes it's in the middle. All depends on what's happening. :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

@@developerninja619 Do your thing!

[@riodemark9999]

I knew it! The position you're most comfortable with is the right position!

[@AndoMierzwa]

If you argue with your body, you will lose! :)

[@riodemark9999]

Nice kick btw!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks very much!

[@eltonjohnsdildo1291]

Sounds like my trip to Cancun.

[@muhammadryan654]

i got yelled by my teacher for kicking my opponent with my heels (eventhough i won the tournament) but you were right. when i tried to use the blade of my foot, it hurts. thanks for the vid. helped me a lot :D have a good day. cheers :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

Congrats on the win, Muhammad... and for protecting your foot. Keep kicking!

[@stormytrails]

If you break that fifth metatarsal of your foot, the blade of your foot it takes months to heal. No walking cast for you. That little bone is the slowest healing bone in our bodies. The heel has no such frailty. Using the blade of your foot should only be used full motion and power by experts who know how to protect the more fragile bones of the hands and feet by incorporating the stronger bones to protect those wimpy bones on the side of your foot. Think about the hand! There are more muscles and bones in our hand than anywhere else in the body. Also more pain. If one does not understand how to move so that you won't smash your hand or foot to transfer the power of your body into and through the foot or hand, gee, I wouldn't be going full out until you do.

[@zommellemmoz3999]

The "blade position" is there to faciltate the kick - that is you cannot do a proper kick with you flat foot = its useless. Get your foot in the blade position, pull the big toe up, turn the foot slightly in the direction of your shin and then your strike area will be the ankle. Check out the video clips from the old shotokan masters circa 1957, 1960 etc.

[@matthewmitchell8678]

If you’ve ever broken a board you strike it with your heal. It won’t break otherwise. Trust me I hold A LOT of boards each week for people of all ages and it’s all the same. No heal no break it’s that simple.

[@martialartstips5177]

I think you should only use a plate of your foot if you're aiming for the attackers throat which is really difficult

[@CRB5587]

Your personality is awesome! You get your point across and it's very helpful information for a beginner like me. Keep the vids coming, please and thank you!

[@AndoMierzwa]

+Crystal Boggs Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to say that, Crystal! Keep kicking!

[@peterpace3379]

Flim Flam 😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@Buzzshot_GW]

For ur own sake this guy is a terrible role model and knows nothing about tradition karate or martial arts. The guys wearing a vest and shoes with his gi for God’s sake

[@maliksarmadawan255]

Crystal Boggs u look soo hot mom

[@Father_Brother_Son]

You are absolutely right on everything you said and that is exactly how I was taught to kick my whole life in TKD

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks for the confirmation, sir!

[@PeterSodhi]

LISTEN UP - after 7 months of Karate my kicks were still terrible - I watched all of Sense Ando's kicking videos (Side kick, Chamber, Pivot etc) and I practiced this week and destroyed the kicking exercises today! My Sense even commented and starting giving me more complex moves... last week I freaking sucked! Kicking is the hardest part of Karate and these videos own it!!!! Thank you Sense - I am on your newsletter as well :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

That is a great comment! I am honored to be part of your journey, sir! Keep kicking!

[@micakey7248]

Thanks for this video. I'm starting taekwondo in a few weeks so I've been watching the Martial Art Training playlist. These really help I feel very prepared. Thank You again.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Good for you for getting started! Happy training!

[@taraconstruction5796]

I already open all the KZbin content about martial art kick, and I never had a very clear analytic explanation of kick than here. This is such an amazing KZbin channel

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you very much!

[@lazygamer1872]

Great video and awesome technique. Would of been good to see you throw one full power and full speed. 👍

[@kylehensley1660]

Thank you for this video! I've been going to 9Round fitness for a little over a month now. It's working and I'm losing weight and feeling great, but the side kick has always been my nemesis. So, I finally decided to do a little youtube search for an instructional video, and came to yours. This is exactly what I needed to see! I was the guy doing it the way you showed in the beginning, plant foot sideways, kicking with the blade of my foot, and falling off balance with every kick once the bag pushed back. I can't wait to get back in the gym and try this on the bags. In the meantime, I'm going to practice on my own. Thank you!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome, awesome, awesome, Kyle! Happy kicking! 👍🏼

[@potatoman8060]

Thanks my grandma didn't stand a chance

Thank god I found your videos before starting training. Update: tried SK today and was manageable alone from your training video. Good habits employed. However I am currently unemployed and your videos allow me to improve myself during this free time. Thank you!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome. Using time wisely is the secret to everything! Keep it up! 👍🏼

[@watenallace663]

you have the best martial art videos I have seen!

[@AndoMierzwa]

+wate nallace A great compliment. Thank you!

[@shelleyteter9199]

Out of all the videos on how to teach a sidekick, yours has the most logic and I say that because I teach the same way. The sidekick is the hardest kick for me teach! Thanks for the video.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Glad we’re on the same page! Keep up the good work, Shelley! 😁👍🏼

[@sonnygallo5662]

My most challenging basic kick. Your info is given in a way that even a chimpanzee could understand. Good job sensei please keep up the good work. Peace and OSU

[@AndoMierzwa]

Nice people like you keep me going, Rebecca! Thank you! :)

[@kukibukiesquire3116]

Back in the early/mid 80’s (age 11 or so) I learned the sidekick by slow four count repetitions, grabbing on to the back of a chair for support. A deep chamber, but level, not turned over. Years later I switched from TKD to Moo Duk Kwon, where the sidekicks looked closer to yours. Uechi Ryu taught me non-chambered kicking, where the side kick is designed to go into the pelvis. Great video.

[@AndoMierzwa]

So many variations! Do what works for you! 👍🏼

[@ourlessy]

Thanks a lot! Your videos make a lot of sense and are very helpful. I like that they are direct and get to the point and explain things well while still being casual and amusing. Look forward to seeing more. Could you give some tips on improving rolls falls and throws in an upcoming video? Would love to see that. Thanks for all the useful videos.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks very much for the comment! Yes, I'll move those topics up my list! Happy new year!

[@wmred]

Best tutorial I’ve seen so far. Thank you.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate that. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@HanoCZ]

Amazing explanation, simple & understandable. Many thanks.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for saying that! Happy kicking!

[@stormytrails]

Sensai Ando!! I just ADORE your teaching style and obvious credibility. Watching you standing on one foot yakking away completely grounded and secure says so much!! I love your lessons that go right into the source, the muscles, where every part of the body should be, lots of details, my goodness you are so good! So very right!..To anyone reading this, I am endorsing Sensai Ando!! He knows what he is teaching and i am so impressed. He is a rare teacher! And yeah, I know what I am talking about...whatever!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Ha! Thank you, Stormy! That is the best endorsement ever! I'd say you definitely know what you're talking about. :)

[@stormytrails]

Yes I do...and I take my 'endorsements' seriously!! I seem to have learned the ability to see proper movement, placement and sometimes it becomes tedious for hubby! 'Look, look, honey...see that dude's hands? The palms face that back wall , see that 'athlete' stance? Hips forward torso curved inward..." or "see those knees, the toes? pointing different directions"??? or "see how they pop their knees back, or use momentum to lift that weight and allow it to fall back", or "damn, those shoulders are up around their ears" or whatever. So when I see you I am looking for errors...finding NONE. Very rare! Grins. You are a great teacher, period.

[@AndoMierzwa]

You're far too kind... I'm fixing errors constantly! :) But for now, I'll take the kind words! Thank you!

[@mapsandmaverics]

Wonderful videos Sensei. Makes me wonder if Bruce Lee was alive today and had his own martial arts channel on KZbin how awesome would that be...

[@AndoMierzwa]

I get the feeling he'd be making movies and taking lots of selfies of his abs. Thanks for the comment!

[@mapsandmaverics]

Thanks for replying Sensei. Great admirer of your work.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks for watching, sir!

[@stormytrails]

Don't think Bruce would be a good teacher. His style is unique. I love the loud vocalization he does, did you know it actually increases strength by 13% ? That is what the 'studies' show at any rate. If he tried to do a demonstration they would have to s l o w i t w a y d o w n. Otherwise all one could see is a blur.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Interesting about the vocalization. Gotta look that up! Thanks!

[@teresaparker4072]

I'm an overweight female who is turning 50 next month and I have taken up boxing on my own to trim down. My biggest fear is injuring myself and you have taken all the guess work out! Fastly becoming a big fan. Thank you for being so thorough in your videos.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Happy to hear that, Teresa! Happy training!👍🏼

[@gedmack7012]

Started MMA at 48,now 58,hardly any injuries and my fitness has went through the roof.🙏

[@ankokukeshi]

Your really open minded in your teaching method. It's really nice to see a fellow instructor pay attention to the human body instead of dry old tradition.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Right! Ultimately, it's your body that says what's right and what's not. Keep kicking!

[@phymadori545]

Your view and approach on martial arts are logical, scientific, and a great achievement is expected.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@juliusdileta809]

Awsome vid iam 48 years old trying to get back in the karate

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome. Welcome back, Julius!

[@woffordswaymartialartschar5541]

That is the best sidekick explanation I have ever heard and I have been doing it for years and I've been telling people that basically it's almost as if you're doing a back kick

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you very much, sir!

[@woffordswaymartialartschar5541]

@@AndoMierzwa I meant to say check out Charles Wofford martial art

[@joshpck]

Great video. In Taekwondo we don't use all those types of side kicks like karate; we also don't turn that much backwards when we thrust out the leg. We align perfectly side ways and keep the knee at a 90 degree angle. In karate (to my understanding), there's the snap side and the thrust side; in formal Taekwondo there's just yop chagi, and there's one way to do it, because it's always a power move. That said, one of the first sparring/self-defense moves you'll learn in TKD is the defensive side kick -- this proves to be an exception to that rule because you're using the front leg. The pivot is less and the chamber is shallower so that it can be launched more quickly. However, despite its ubiquity within Taekwondo (and even karate), I have yet to find the defensive side kick in the Kukkiwon's formal Taekwondo text book.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thanks for the comment, Josh! I believe older TKD (ITF) uses the fuller pivot for side kicks... that's where I learned it! The snap side kick, rising side kick, or any kick that points the side of your hip to the target, is the one I have issues with. Yes, for jamming an attacker at the knee or hacking at the shins/ankles, the side-facing kick feels fine, but swinging the leg up higher than that leads to pinching for me. Interesting that the defensive side kick is not in the Kukkiwon's text! It really is a basic! Keep kicking, sir! :)

[@joshpck]

***** I had a co-worker at a dojang I used to be the chief instructor at -- he was ITF and did the full turn like you showed. It looked like a forward back kick, but he turned away so much it obstructed his vision. WTF/Kukki style Taekwondoin don't turn that much because it'd be faster and more deceptive to use an actual back kick, and because turning away that much during a relatively slow kick such as a back leg side kick opens you to a counter (the first of which would be getting a push kick to the back or the head). The Kukkiwon version isn't a snap, it's a thrust. The hips scissor during extension so that the knee can drop slightly. Trying to force the knee to stay up will lead to knee pain in my personal experience, but turning the knee downward would be in my personal opinion a different kick (forward back kick) and a bit of an over correction. A proper KKW side kick has the knee facing out sideways at roughly parallel, but with a slight downward slant. However, I personally don't actually use a side kick higher than the ribs. I practice high, but I don't spar with it high. I've tried high side kicks on the bag and I feel that pinching in the hips. I suspect that bodily alignment is not optimal when you're kicking that high.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Good point on the back kick! I actually edited out a piece of the video where I compared the thrusting side kick to a back kick. For me, the difference is about 20 degrees on the support foot. Meaning: if your foot is 180 to the target and your kicking foot is toes down, then it's a back kick. When you start to rotate the support foot to the front, it becomes a side kick. For me, if I kick higher than the belt, I stay over 90 degrees on the support foot. If I kick lower, I can get away with being under 90 degrees. And like you say, when staying around 90, turning the knee down helps keep the hip in a stable position. Sounds like we agree on the pain associated with kicking at the head from a 90 degree or less pivot. Maybe that's why so many high kickers get hip replacements! Keep kicking, sir! :)

[@quasar4601]

His kick is almost like a back kick. So much turn its odd. I just use mine as strong jab.

[@Elurin]

dropping the knee looks (and is) sloppy and a really bad habit to get into when your first learning the side kick; keeping a high chamber is something that my instructor made sure I worked on right from white belt. I agree with not using a high side kick while sparring: sometimes I would do it accidently when doing a spin/180 side kick as my leg would naturally drift upward from the momentum and I would kick my sparring partner in the face. Instead, I found that turning that side kick into a front leg hook kick, defensively or offensively is much more preferable to me as I would rather kick someone in the side of the head rather than the face.

[@pugmanplays]

best video i have seen on side kicks, finally someone explaining what my body has been trying to tell me, good job sir

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome. Thanks for the comment!

[@DrMACPOW]

As a huge muscular guy that can leg press about 1200 lbs max, I'm very lucky and thankful to have an incredible balance and flexible legs that allow me to front kick above my height (6'3"). The side kick has always been my favorite and I'm glad I can perform these kicks. It'd be a lot better if I could kick as fast as Sensei Ando.

[@AndoMierzwa]

1200 lbs! I do not want to feel that kick! 😄

[@jesshothersall]

I like emphasis on protecting the body from damage by listening to it first, and the slow easy to follow demos, thanks.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words, Jessica! Happy training!👍🏼

[@endima6204]

Good video, good explanation I agree fully!

[@dennispark612]

Hello Sensei Ando, my name is Master Park, I'm a 4th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and I just wanted to say thank you for putting out great content to share with the public. We focus a great deal on kicking techniques in Tae Kwon Do and I have to say that I agree 100% with everything you mentioned in this video. I also viewed your foot placement video and really enjoyed the clockwise technique you mentioned. I use the pool player analogy with my students as well...works great. Thanks again and keep up the great work. I'm glad to see other instructors sharing proper and effect technique.

[@AndoMierzwa]

+Dennis Park Thank you so much, Master Park! I am truly honored that you took the time to comment. That your comment was positive is a nice bonus! I hope our paths will cross again. Keep kicking, sir! :)

[@LonleyGuns]

Your instructions helped me a lot in Karate. Thank You! :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Keep fighting!

[@akashneelim8773]

FINALLY a precise, to the point, no bs side kick tutorial! You see I'm a beginner of TKD & so far, I've got the hang of almost all the basic kicks. However the side kick has always been elusive for me. I sometimes I got board breaking power from it & at other times it was very feeble. I couldn't guess what was wrong as I was doing everything right (or so I thought), including the pivot. I then searched youtube for tutorial videos, & though I found many of 'em, nothing helped my case much. That was until I found your tutorial & my God! It's a masterpiece! I instantly realized what my fault was. It was just that I wasn't following the most important mantra of throwing a side kick- “aim your butt to kick their butt”! It's a mantra every martial artist should keep in mind while throwing a side kick & every martial arts teacher should make his students memories it! So thank you very much Sensei for this invaluable video. I know I've rambled much, but it's just that I can't contain my happiness at finally finding the treasure I've been looking for for quite some time now. Obviously subscribed the moment I finished watching & applied the tips to the heavy bag in my house to get instant results. Keep up the good work... :) P.S.: Don't wanna sound greedy but can you please, in the future, upload a tutorial about hook kick. Thank you again... :)

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hi Akash! Your comment blows me away. Thanks for taking the time to write it! If it helps, I think of the hook kick the SAME as a side kick... throw the side kick then pull your heel back to your butt. Most people have trouble with the hook kick because they throw it in a wide arc. But if you think of it as straight first, THEN hook the foot, it's a lot easier to control. Hmm.. maybe that would be a good video! Anyway, thanks for the comment! Happy kicking!

[@akashneelim8773]

Thanks for the tip Sensei...

[@rodneyhammon1793]

What kind of shoes are those? Good for working out?..keep the tips coming!..it's great sound advise! And it really helps! ...thanks....Rodney

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hi Rodney! They're just standard Adidas TKD shoes. Nothing fancy. Although it was hard finding red! :)

[@Anas-rx9zs]

Thaiboxer here, this video was extremely useful in making my side kick actually powerful instead of half baked quadricep kicks, next to that this gave me a ton of awareness and balance

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Thank you for the comment! 👍🏼

[@leoramirez4024]

trash talk in a kick with out saying A word

[@AndoMierzwa]

Exactly! :)

[@RoflJoker1994]

A word. hahaha i get it.. A .. haha ..

[@shreyas1650]

Dylan wait what I don’t understand

[@RenshiMichael]

Great video! I've told all my students for years "aim with your butt" and and anyone who listens with a grain of salt improves their side kick ten fold. Keep up these great lessons Sensei.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Exactly! You've got to use those big muscles. Thank you for the back up!

[@jrab1684]

Me: Hey body does it feel better when I swing my leg? My Body: *replies* yEaH.. Also Me: *RUN*

[@AndoMierzwa]

The body is wise!😁

[@jrab1684]

What's up Master....🙏

[@AndoMierzwa]

@@jrab1684 Just Ando! :)

[@captainbeaver_man903]

what I like most about your videos is that you dont use absolutes. You actually say, try it an if it works then use it, if its not for you then dont use it.

[@AndoMierzwa]

That's the only sensible advice, right? There are many paths up the same mountain! Thanks for the comment, sir!

[@isaiahdavila8407]

"I don't even want you to lessen to me" Me:ok bye

[@Dakero]

Exactly how I was taught, use your supporting foot's heel to aim at your opponent before you launch your kick. We did call it a back kick, but were also told not to use the side kick in the exact way you mention. I have enjoyed all of your videos. Excellent instruction and you deliver it very concisely.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Sure, different people use different terms, but there are only so many ways to deliver power through the foot! Thanks for the comment!

[@monstermayank]

Are you losing eye contact with your opponent while delivering this kick?

[@AndoMierzwa]

No, sir!

[@monstermayank]

Thank you sir, your channel is very helpful.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I hope so! Thank you!

[@timbank7011]

Exactly! I have been preaching that for over 20 years. I even use the term "moon your opponent!" One tip I use (if I might add) is to imagine a string tied to your big toe. As you kick, pull that string to lead with your heel (remember it is an imaginary string.) This also helps with floppy foot position. Cheers!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Excellent tip, sir! Thank you for sharing here!

[@tunefulsoulonaroll7669]

2:15 , lol @alligators .. gr8 video.

[@AndoMierzwa]

It could happen! :) Thanks!

[@tunefulsoulonaroll7669]

yes, haha . i will try to chain punch it if it happens , been practicing that a lot on my kickboxing bag i got a while back, got few 20-30 combo left right punches at quite a speed, did it a few times well, but unfortunately hurt my fingers practicing that sometime bcos i dont use gloves because i do a little bit of iron man training too, so thought it would be a good way, though im a noob compared to you at pretty much everything still i want to learn it all. , right now Im focusing on getting my kicks as high as possible watching different stretching tutorials, but im stiff as a log, as i just played cricket and football as a child and stopped and did not play for 5-6 years during my college times.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Slow and steady, my friend. Just keeping asking your body for a little more and it will adapt. There's still plenty of time to be even more awesome! Happy training!

[@tunefulsoulonaroll7669]

Thank you . I sure will try my best.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome!

[@magical8013]

I've been in a few street fights (never loss), so wanted to start learning martial Arts, I never realized how good I really am at fighting, I'm a natural fighter, all this stuff that you just said I normally do... I just had to tone my skills.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Keep toning! 👍🏼

[@didyousaychocolate8544]

Moon them 😂😂😂😂😂

[@raile4300]

My groin part hurts a lot, the reason why I came here and I didn't regret it. Thanks man!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hope it helps!

[@vahemirocopalian815]

That's not side kick your teaching, that's back kick (ushiro geri) on 45 degree torso. Side kick is blade. Yes. To kick off defense guard, or oncoming legs and arms. Side kick is not to attack opponents torso, hip or legs. You can use jodan side kick to kick opponents neck, chin or head with the blade of your foot also. If you wanna hit the torso, hip or legs you use what you show, back kick in any angle your torso want it to be. Side kick with the blade of your foot is best to hit arms and hands of the opponent with much power and speed to lose their contraction or to numb their arms. But watch for the elbows.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Good tips! Thanks!

[@mrmalavey1098]

I would have to agree with you, maybe not so aggressively on the criticism but I was thinking it looked more like a back kick also. In karate I was taught to use the blade of the foot, in kung fu I train and teach to use the heel as that's just a difference in styles. imo I feel the heel is a better option as I wonder how much pressure it would take to break the ankle ( just thinking about when people punch with a bent wrist)

[@quasar4601]

He does turn so much that it kind of looks like a back kick ??

[@colinsmith9160]

This is (basically) a correct SIDE kick in taekwondo in terms of base rotation (100%), trajectory (except we put more emphasis on circling the knee in front of the torso before extending), body alignment, and foot position. What makes this a side kick (vs. back kick or "reverse side kick") is that the shoulder--hip--heel are in a straight line down the SIDE AXIS of the body at full extension, from tip of clavicle in shoulder through middle of hip joint, through extended knee, through flexed angled, to mid-heel. What is called a "side kick" in different versions of karate and other arts may vary, but side kick is quintessential archetype kick of taekwondo (the kick-y-est MA of MAs), and for all the reasons he stated (natural body mechanics/joint physiology, physics of force), these are excellent tips. And yes, force is supposed to come largely from the gluts, which are brought on board fully if hip is in correct position to begin (flexed in prep, and angled up according to desired height of kick). If you don't engage gluts, you going to rely on Iliopsoas and piriformis?? Good luck generating any real power with those. Quite frankly, I was relieved to see these correct tips because it is often taught wrong. For anyone wanting to improve their side kick this is good advice, don't be discouraged by naysayers who learned some kind of mixed round/side kick now believe its a side kick. (source: I'm III black belt Songham TKD)

[@quasar4601]

The side kick is one of the best kicks in Karate and TKD . If I had to master one kick, it would be that. It would be impossible for me to ever do a spinning heel or axe kick. Those kicks are beyond deadly but you need insane coordination

[@austinewanga]

This is awesome...i had, at one point, struggled with this kick and even thought i had problems with the muscles around my hip and groin supporting abduction of my hip...The technique was actually wrong. I'm gonna be nice to myself now. Arigatou Sensei!!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Yes, be nice to yourself!😁

[@mugenmason4206]

...sensei? Yin Yang? Red Gi? shoes on? what style is this?

[@AndoMierzwa]

Just me. :)

[@raulortavalero6219]

good answer...

[@oneDonly]

Ando Mierzwa More importantly, what kinda shoes are they are where do I get them. I know they're Addis, but are they mat shoes.

[@michaelrivas8648]

taekwondo shoes

[@mikemichaels4500]

It's a Rex Kwon Do offshoot.

[@taekwondomaster4609]

Thank you Sensei Ando.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for watching!

[@tazrianalamjitu]

Your kick looks more like a Backkick rather side kick.

[@fabienbordes7788]

exactly what i was thinking.

[@Elurin]

I think its because he's dropping his knee just before the kick, otherwise its a very sloppy green belt level side kick.

[@rockhensley6080]

Tazrian Alam. I believe its all about styles. Kicks as a Chinese fighter does. Just saying

[@NanHoumSian]

it may look like a back kick but it's not. When you do a back kick, you take a step, you face the other way and kick like a horse - it's called ushiro geri (sorry for my english)

[@nickyng5620]

To me, it is the best video about side kick! My side kick is much better (power, balance, injury prevention...). Thank you very much indeed!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Happy to hear that! Keep kicking!

[@iancook1506]

Therefore his kick is not a side kick, but a back kick. So, his side kick is the worst because it isn't one.

[@mrsenor5233]

that's a side kick dumbass

[@iancook1506]

No. YOU, are the dumb ass. You can see that his hip has rotated past his centre line, making it a back kick. This bloke does not understand a lot of what he is doing, so therefore is incorrect in his descriptions.

[@mrsenor5233]

Wow an all capped word. That's still a sidekick, kid. 😂😂

[@iancook1506]

Not the way he does it, so it isn't. He/You are confused.

[@AndoMierzwa]

+Ian Cook Yikes! I hope we can all get along here! Like I said elsewhere, a back kick -- FOR ME -- is when you turn 180 degrees away from the target and kick with your toes straight down. The side kick is close, but not the same. The main point is to use the natural motion of the body so you don't hurt your hip. But as always, do whatever the heck you want to do!

[@lifetrekmartialarts]

Oh my goodness! I've been PREACHING this to my students for a year now since we opened. It's a struggle to get them to do what I'm asking. I've even been using this exact same logic and reasoning. I do disagree a little with the part about the blade, because I'm happy for my students to use either the blade or the heel. My instructor taught me this nearly 30 years ago. Great stuff, and I'm sharing it with my class! Thank you!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Sure! If the blade works for you, go for it. And congrats on your one year anniversary! Keep spreading the arts!

[@lifetrekmartialarts]

Thanks so much! For the record, I don't exactly disagree with you on using the heel. I think either is fine to use, is all. If I could just always get my students to line up their hips and butts to kick their butts, I would be one happy instructor. Great, great video!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Sure, different tools for different jobs. And I hear you about getting students to get in line! Don't give up! :)

[@feckingegg9146]

I am absolutely unable to do a taekwondo sidekick above knee level so this helps a ton. I don't care much for patterns so not having "perfect technique" doesnt harm me much. Thank you.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Yes, I think pivoting more will help raise your kick. Thanks for the comment!

[@feckingegg9146]

Ok I'll practice that thanks. Your videos have been a ton of help.

[@Vsily]

I have studied MA for many many years still I consider your lessons to be very useful I hope you do not mind if I use some of your advice to teach my own students You are a very good instructor

[@AndoMierzwa]

I am honored by your comment, sir. Teach as many good people as you can!

[@ursoisarktos6474]

This is very similar to how Sensei Billy Brammer taught me to throw a side kick when I was young. I didn't realize what a treasure I had in him as a teacher until I was much older.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Respect! Thank you for the comment!

[@YouMineNL]

i love how you say this is what i think and what i like and not like other youtubers like this is how you should do it.

[@kenosiar]

I finished your martial art challenge with this kick, now that I know how to do it better, I'm going to do the challenge again with this one.

[@AndoMierzwa]

+kenosiar That is awesome, sir. Keep it going!

[@truthseekervox]

"listen to your body" I am practicing martial arts. I started with basic combos with the Bo staff. I loved the weapon, everything about it. The feel, the style of the strikes, and the power. Eventually I became a bit better with it. Began basic twirls and seamless combos. Learning where my body gets it strength for strikes. I've hit a snag and I keep getting the same results. Then I heard you say "Don't even listen to me, listen to you body" you made me realize that where I am the most comfortable, where it is the most natural for my body to go is where your power comes from. And it even protects from long term damage to your body. You may have saved my knees from aches! Humans were built to run and climb, the joints are strong along them, not across! Exploit your resources and you will profit haha

[@AndoMierzwa]

That’s a great comment! Keep exploiting your resources!😄

[@darkdevil7296]

I just won a fight because of your videos tq , the best thing i got in youtube is your videos

[@AndoMierzwa]

If I help to you survive a bad situation, that I’m very pleased and very proud of you!

[@qwerqwer9939]

Thanks I’ve been struggling with this for a while and now I’m better with it

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Thanks for letting me know!

[@kaushleshsharma9965]

After searching a lot.. finally I found the video that I wanted, today my teacher told me to kick with blade or heel but my kicks weren't powerful and I was feeling guilty cuz of not being good but after listening to you I have got some confidence, tomorrow I'll give my best. THANK YOU SO MUCH🥋

[@AndoMierzwa]

Very happy to hear that. Don’t give up!

[@pwnshhhop51]

I was only halfway through the video and I paused it to try turning my other foot when throwing the kick, and it boggled my mind how much better it felt.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome!! 😄👍🏼

[@mattnobrega6621]

Straight forward and easy to understand. Well done sensei ando.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you, sir!

[@samj3978]

What an amazing character. If only there were more martial artists with this style of explanation.

[@AndoMierzwa]

For now, you’re stuck with me. Thank you very much! 😁

[@aprilking2836]

I love your communication of it all!! It makes it easier for one to remember.... I will be subscribing... Keep up the Big Work!!!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words, April! 🙏🏻

[@FourEyedRaven88]

I've always struggled with that hip turnover with my kicks, but your butt tip (lol) really did it all naturally come together!

[@AndoMierzwa]

That makes me very happy! Happy kicking! 😁

[@D_Huckins]

This helped me so much. My hips hurt due to improper technique. I tried these tips and they worked first for second try with no hip pain though they still hurt. Thank you. Will be watching more videos.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Glad to hear that! 👍🏼

[@raoahmadshaharyar7720]

You are the best teacher in the world. Sensei

[@AndoMierzwa]

We all can help somebody!

[@itjustgotbetter]

Awesome, you are a natural teacher! Very easy to understand.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate that. Thank you!

[@uDojo]

Excellent explanation and tips. Side kick is so often corrected, usually because it's a round kick!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Agreed! Thank you for the comment!

[@monicapone4300]

Thank you for posting this. I just started kickboxing and my body hasn't been able to grasp side kicks. I'm definitely going to try this.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hope it helps! Happy training to you!

[@okish02]

Great tips....kung fu stresses heel, never understood blade of foot

[@AndoMierzwa]

Different tools for different jobs, I guess.

[@MyZ001]

Which types of kungfu?

[@taekwon-dowhacky3322]

good tips...im Taekwondo ITF instructor ..i practice same style of side kick..this one is more powerful and didnot injured my leg. pivot is important. good sharing sir.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the comment, sir!

[@sharatsharma8273]

I love front /front jump kick,roundhouse kick,back kick & low side kick,and a few high spinning & hook kicks.fav is the thunderous front kick & pivoting back kick.enough for me. Either snap kick or will break your block and enter. Sheer speed & power in one or two kicks is enough. Hate higher side kick.so what you say is hitting the nail on its head.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out! 👍🏼

[@rampandya2694]

You're doing great work by making these videos. I thought I was pretty good at those punches and side kicks but these videos made me realize some flaws in my punches and kicks. And I've been working on it. Thanks a lot.

[@AndoMierzwa]

It never ends.... we can all keep getting better! Thanks for the comment!

[@ragnarsturmen4561]

I very literally just taught myself everything you just said. All through the video I felt like you had heard all my thoughts. Listen to your body! I found out like 7 minutes ago that I had to pivot to get hight on my kicks! At least a foot higher! No kidding, Sensei Ando knows what he's talking about.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Awesome! Yes, your body is the real teacher. Glad you listened to it! :)

[@marekzaborowski1667]

Sir, kudos to you. Your way of explanation is luminous. Thank you. I am 55 years old, working out for years. I am not a professional - doing my workout for fun. And I would give only two advice to youngsters: a) be slow and patient, b) the technique is the primary goal. The third more general advice would be: the journey is more interesting than reaching the goal. ,I am from Poland - seems to me, that you have Polish pedigree, Sir. Thank you very much.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Excellent advice, sir! Thank you sharing! Yes, Polish. Na zdrowie!

[@4_4_4..]

I've started watching your videos to help my kids (12 & 10 years), but I liked it that I'm considering joining Taekwondo classes soon! Thanks from me and my kids!

[@AndoMierzwa]

That is fantastic! Yes, absolutely get on the mats! Happy kicking!

[@ivobatista4018]

Very very good instruction and explanation on the techniques. I also fully agree with the logic behind it and that rather than solely look at the kicking action itself (like most instruction I have encountered including in a class setting), you address the consequences of the kick itself for your own body and compromised position at the end of it. All in all I'd say that it's an angled sidekick which has the best of both world's in terms of power delivery and structure whilst also allowing eye's on the target, something you don't get from a pure backheal kick.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate the analysis, sir! Thank you for your comment!

[@Zveruidfly]

Very good point about not hitting with a blade of the foot. It can work fine when barefooted, but when wearing boots with thick sole, we can easily damage our ankle hitting like this, since the distance from our ankle joint to the point of impact will be much longer

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the comment!

[@kenbessemer4913]

turn, kick and enjoy, this is my new favorite guy!!!!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you kindly, Ken!

[@armitagesoulshroude9815]

Your description of "the dance" as in the Martial Sciences training is spot on, you've earned a subscriber. Me? 20+ years in the Aikido (Shihan)and MCMAP (USMC Martial Arts Program). Both on 5th Degree Black.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Congrats on all your hard work. Welcome to the channel! 👍🏼

[@tonytoob4123]

Awesome! Your intro got me glued throughout the video.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@ishandahal8651]

It worked for me! You are pretty good martial artist and the best teacher.i am 15 I worked for every kick I did it well but it was only limited to see and do but you make it learn and do that's your uniqueness so hats off to you SENSEI

[@AndoMierzwa]

+Ishan Dahal Thank you very much! Keep kicking, sir!

[@ishandahal8651]

+Ando Mierzwa hey of u don't mind upload a video based on daily exercise after early wakeup .which exercise is good for us to become a fighter. and of course upload one on daily diet and which food should be eaten by a fighter and which should be avoided

[@AndoMierzwa]

+Ishan Dahal That's a big request! Quick answers for me: wake up and do some shadow boxing. Eat some oatmeal and protein of your choice. Avoid too much sugar. Repeat forever. :)

[@ishandahal8651]

its too cold here in nepal i did what u say but i unknowingly punched a wall when i was doing shadowboxing lol. anyhow ill train

[@AndoMierzwa]

+Ishan Dahal Great! Keep going!

[@yrbadself]

He is absolutely right about the higher you kick, the more you need to pivot. I didn't know that before learning how to kick years later when I took Tae Kwon Do. Which is why I blew out my knee at 17.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Sorry for that. 🙏🏻

[@shiirothedisappointment5723]

I know im a 12 year old girl...but i just like fighting and your channel is very VERY useful! Like i never knew a side kick. Thanks for everything!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you so much for saying hello! Keep fighting! 😁👍🏼

[@miguelangelpedraglio9320]

The BEST video IVE seen! Very practical,very realistic.it works.make sence!

[@AndoMierzwa]

Thank you for the kind words, Miguel! 🙏🏻

[@larslange4078]

I´m a heel sidekicker since decades. Works for me very well.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Excellent! Keep it going!

[@banditaacharya1362]

Very powerful you are. I am trying your side kicks.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Hope it works out! Keep kicking!

[@SabeelCombatives]

Excellent tips, thank you. I knew all these things but I don´t think I fully understood WHY we do it this way until you broke it down.

[@AndoMierzwa]

Excellent! Thank you for the comment!

[@manuela.8676]

Great tips. Very useful. Nobody else explains this, as far as I know.

[@AndoMierzwa]

I appreciate the support, sir! Thank you!

[@darksniper7641]

This is one of the most realest Tutorials i dislocated my knee because of that same side ways side kick it is something I would never wish on anyone great video

[@AndoMierzwa]

So sorry for your pain! Thank you for sharing your experience.🙏🏻