The Spinning Hook Kick

Hey Guys,

This is perhaps my favorite all time kick.  I still love to practice it, and back in the day it served me well in fighting.  It is one of the most beautiful and powerful kicks out there.  But what most people don’t realize is just how versatile it can be when fighting.  For those new to the spinning hook kick (also known as the spinning heel kick, or reverse hook kick), it is broken down simply as a spin kick that offers knock out power at full extension.  But for the advanced student, this kick offers one the ability to actually wrap the kick around the opponents body or guard, to move over and around obstacles, and to strike targets that are inaccessible with other techniques.  And it can accomplish this without being seen by the opponent.  Beautiful.

In terms of fitness, this kick packs a tremendous punch.  It requires a good deal of flexibility, balance, and muscular development, and it is extremely taxing to perform on a kick by kick basis.  This translates to intense cardio in a short period of time. 

The keys to performing the spinning hook kick well:

• Learn the lead leg hook kick, and rear leg hook kick well!
• Don’t swing the kick wide, but shoot your back/side kick to within 6 inches of the target, before snapping it back.
• Maintain focus on a fixed target, and get your eyes back on that target as quickly as possible for speed and balance.  This is the key to the kick.  Your body and balance will follow your eyes.
• Chamber the kick well after snapping it, and complete a full circle rotation.
• Kick horizontally across a flat plan, rather than angling up or down (at least initially).
• Exhale through the kick, and remain relaxed.  Tension will kill this kick.

More Martial Arts Kicking Tutorials.