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Front Thrust Kick. The front thrust kick is versatile and easy to use but it is the least "flashy" of the kicks so it is seldom used. It is versatile since it may be thrust into any opening in opponent's guard similar to the way a punch is used.

• Partner holds a hand target downward with a target surface perpendicular to floor.

• Stand in a front stance with arms held in basic guard, facing and centered on the target.

• Chamber trailing leg by lifting knee high in front of body and close against the body. Shin is vertical, ball of foot is extended downward with toes pulled back toward the knee.

• Aim the knee at the target, since the foot will travel to where knee is pointing.

• Snap ball of foot forward into front of the target, keeping toes pulled back so they do not jam into the target.

• Quickly re-chamber the foot and step it back to its original position. The kicking motion is a forward, thrusting motion. The motion is similar to trying to kick a hole into a dry wall. In a front snap kick, the foot would merely slide up the wall, whereas the front thrust kick would penetrate the wall.

• The thrusting motion comes from thrusting the hips forward into the kick. Just the hips move forward, the shoulders remain back so stability is maintained.

• Perform the entire kicking motion from the floor, to the chamber, to the target, back to the chamber, and back to the floor again in one smooth, continuous motion.

Side Thrust Kick. The side thrust kick is the "trademark" kick of Taekwondo. If you are a Taekwondo stylist, you must be able to perform a beautiful, powerful side thrust kick if you ever want to become a black belt.

• Partner holds a hand target downward with a target surface perpendicular to floor.

• Stand in a front stance with arms held in the basic guard, facing and centered on the target.

• Chamber trailing leg by lifting knee high and across in front of body and backward toward the other side of the body. Think of it as pulling the knee toward the opposite shoulder, although this is not the goal. For most students, the knee will only reach a little over waist high. When chambered, the knee will be pulled back and the knee, shin, and foot of the leg will be parallel to the floor with the foot pointed at the target. When the knee is pulled back tightly, it prevents the kick from being jammed by an opponent who rushes in.

• The kicking foot rotates inward and angles backward so the outer corner of its heel is pointing at the target.

• As you chamber the kicking foot, the foot on the floor pivots forward on the ball until the heel points toward the target.

• Thrust the outer corner of the kicking heel straight at the target using the thigh muscles.

• Just as the heel makes contact with the target, the hip of the kicking leg "snap-rolls" over the leg. This rolling action snaps the mass of the body behind the kick as the thigh is thrusting the kick into the target.

• Quickly pull the kicking knee back to its chambered position. This allows you maintain your balance, step down anywhere you choose, and kick again if necessary.

• In a side thrust kick, think chamber high and tight, thrust knee at target, and pull knee back into the chamber again.

• Do not pull the foot back; pull the knee back, the foot will follow. If you try to pull the foot back, the foot will be pulled backward toward the butt, which will allow the opponent to jab any subsequent attempt to kick again.

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