In Taekwondo, a Turning Kick (known as Dollyo Chagi) is the most popular and frequently used kick in both sparring and self-defense. It generates power by snapping the leg in a circular motion to strike the opponent from the side.
How to Perform It
A proper turning kick uses the entire body, not just the leg. The movement follows these steps:
- Lift the Knee: You bring your back leg up, tucking your knee toward your chest.
- Pivot the Base Foot: You rotate your standing foot about 180°. This opens your hips and allows your body to turn.
- Snap the Leg: You swing your leg in a horizontal arc and snap it forward, striking the target with either the instep (top of the foot) or the ball of the foot.
- Retract: You quickly pull your foot back to the starting position to maintain balance and avoid being grabbed.
Targets and Power
The turning kick is versatile because you can aim it at different heights:
- Low Section: Attacks the opponent’s outer thigh or calf to weaken their stance.
- Middle Section: Targets the ribs or the solar plexus to knock the wind out of an opponent.
- High Section: Aims for the head or neck. In competition, a turning kick to the head earns more points than a body shot.
Why It’s Effective
- Speed: It is one of the fastest kicks to execute from a standard fighting stance.
- Momentum: The rotation of the hips and the pivot of the base foot create massive centrifugal force, making the strike very heavy.
- Deception: A skilled fighter can make a turning kick look like a front kick initially, making it difficult for the opponent to block.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Dropping the Hands: Beginners often drop their guard to balance themselves, leaving their face open to a counter-attack.
- Not Pivoting: If you don’t turn your standing foot, you put dangerous pressure on your knee and lose almost all your power.
- “Slapping” the Target: You should strike through the target with a crisp snap rather than just slapping the surface of it.