Back Kick

The back kick and spinning back kick offer many advantages over the spinning side kick without sacrificing power or simplicity. The spinning back kick, used most commonly as a follow-up attack in a combination, is safer because it exposes the upper body and head to the opponent less than the spinning side kick. In a properly executed spinning back kick, your back is turned to the opponent and your upper body out of counterattacking range.

Timing and accuracy are essential. If you kick too late or too early and miss your intended target, your opponent may take advantage of your awkward body position to counter with a roundhouse kick to your face or kidney, knocking you down. If, however, you time your kick precisely, the spinning back kick is a devastatingly powerful kick. The back kick, on the other hand, is even more powerful and faster than either of the other kicks. Because you do not actually spin your body, you cut the kicking time almost in half.

To execute a back kick, slightly rotate your hips and pivot your front foot while quickly shooting your rear leg out under you to the target. The chambering position for the back kick is almost nonexistent because the leg moves so quickly to its target. In attacking, your entire body weight must be shifted into the opponent's body with your upper torso perpendicular to the ground when the kick reaches its full extension.

When used for close range counterattacking, the back kick is an excellent tool for scoring against an aggressive opponent. To launch an effective counterattack against a roundhouse kick, for example, your back kick should be short, with less commitment of your body weight and more emphasis on speedy execution and retraction.