Taekwondo Side Kick (Yeop Chagi)
Quick Information
Category
Combat Sports
Difficulty
Intermediate
Equipment
None, Kicking Paddle
Primary muscle group
Hip Flexors, Quadriceps, Gluteals
Secondary muscle groups
Adductors, Obliques, Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius
Movement pattern
Lateral Thrust Kick
Training goal
Skill Acquisition
Sport
Taekwondo, Kickboxing, MMA
Overview
Purpose. Deliver a powerful linear kick along a lateral line, using hip extension rather than a snap.
How it fits the system. The primary thrusting kick of the taekwondo material in the Combat Sports section. Related work in the library: Taekwondo Back Kick and Karate Side Thrust Kick.
Primary muscles
Hip Flexors, Quadriceps, Gluteals
Secondary muscles
Adductors, Obliques, Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius
Movement pattern
Lateral Thrust Kick
Equipment
None, Kicking Paddle
Difficulty
Intermediate
How to Perform
- Chamber the knee up and across the body with the hip turned over.
- Pivot the support foot so the heel points towards the target.
- Thrust the leg out sideways, striking with the heel or the outer edge of the foot.
- Recoil the leg to the chamber and set down in a balanced stance.
Coaching Cues
- “Turn the support heel to the target.”
- “Drive through with the heel, not the toes.”
- “Keep the body in a straight line at extension.”
Common Mistakes
- Kicking with the body bent sideways, which loses power and balance.
- Striking with the toes or the instep, which risks injury and reduces force.
Progressions & Regressions
Progressions
Increase height, then add a step-in and a skip-in version, then add a jumping side kick.
Regressions
Hold a wall for balance and work the chamber, pivot and extension separately.
When to Use It
When to use
Technical kicking blocks, paddle work and sparring preparation.
When not to use
Hip, groin or knee injury, or when hip mobility does not yet allow the height required.
Programming
3–5 sets of 8–12 kicks per leg, quality first, full recovery between sets.
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