How to Back Kick | Martial Arts Spirit Tutorials
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Downward Back Kick·Martial Arts Spirit
How to Back Kick | Martial Arts Spirit Tutorials In this tutorial we go through the steps to execute a Back Kick. Ple…
Downward Back Kick
SubFamilyダウンワード・バック・キック(Daunwādo Bakku Kikku)
TransliterationTranslation: Downward back kick — a back kick directed downward and behind, targeting the opponent's knee, shin, or foot from above, driving the heel as a stomp
Overview
The Downward Back Kick drives the heel downward and backward at approximately 30-45° below horizontal, targeting the opponent's knee joint, shin, or instep (top of the foot) from behind — a stomping back kick that attacks the structural integrity of the opponent's legs rather than their body. [1] The technique combines the backward direction of the standard back kick with the downward stomping trajectory of the oblique kick, creating a hybrid that targets the most structurally vulnerable part of the human body — the knee — from the direction the knee is least able to resist force (from above-behind). [1] The human knee is a hinge joint designed to flex and extend along a single axis; forces applied from above and behind force the joint to buckle forward (hyperflexion), which can tear the ACL, PCL, and popliteal ligaments that stabilise the joint. [1] De Bremaeker and Faige document the Downward Back Kick as one of the back kick variants, noting its tactical application when the opponent is standing close behind the practitioner — the downward trajectory targets the lead leg's knee, which is the opponent's primary weight-bearing structure in that position. [1] The technique is sometimes called the 'Donkey Kick' because it resembles the kicking motion of a donkey — a powerful downward-backward stamp that drives the heel into whatever is behind and below the animal. [1] In MMA, the oblique kick to the knee (a related front-facing technique popularised by Jon Jones) has demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of stomping kicks to the knee joint — the Downward Back Kick applies the same principle from a rearward direction. [2] In self-defence, the Downward Back Kick is one of the most effective responses to being grabbed from behind: the heel stomps down onto the attacker's shin, knee, or instep without requiring the defender to turn around. [1]
Donkey KickStomping Back KickRear Stomp KickDownward Heel Back KickKnee Stomp Back KickOblique Back Kick
History & Origin
The downward back kick or rear stomp has existed in martial arts for as long as humans have fought in close quarters — stomping backward onto an attacker's leg is an instinctive defensive response that appears across every culture's fighting tradition. [1] In Krav Maga, the rear stomp to the knee, shin, and instep is taught as a foundational self-defence response to rear attacks, reflecting Imi Lichtenfeld's principle that the simplest techniques are the most effective under stress. [1] In traditional karate and taekwondo, downward back kicks appear as bunkai (applications) of kata movements involving rear-stamping motions. [1] De Bremaeker and Faige documented the Downward Back Kick as Section 4.9 in their 2010 compilation, noting its cross-cultural universality and its particular value in self-defence scenarios involving rear attacks. [1] The Jon Jones-popularised oblique kick to the knee (a front-facing variant of the same downward-stomping principle) demonstrated in the UFC that knee-targeting stomps are devastatingly effective even against world-class athletes. [2]
Effectiveness
The Downward Back Kick is one of the most effective self-defence techniques available because it targets the knee — a joint that cannot be conditioned or strengthened to resist stomping forces from above. [1] Unlike body targets (which can be hardened through conditioning) or the head (which can be protected by a guard), the knee is always vulnerable to axial loading from above, and damage to the knee immediately eliminates the attacker's ability to stand, chase, or mount further offence. [1] The technique requires no skill, flexibility, or conditioning to execute at a basic level — stomping backward onto a leg is a gross motor movement that works under extreme adrenal stress. [1] In MMA, the related oblique kick to the knee has altered the strategic landscape of the sport, with fighters now having to defend their knees as a primary concern. [2]
Lineage
Universal martial arts technique (stomping backward onto an attacker's leg is instinctive) → codified in Krav Maga as a foundational rear-defence response → documented across karate, TKD, and self-defence systems → De Bremaeker & Faige (2010) cross-style compilation. Related front-facing variant (oblique kick) popularised in MMA by Jon Jones (2011+). [1],[2]
Competition Record
The Downward Back Kick is primarily a self-defence technique. In MMA, the related oblique kick (front-facing knee stomp) has been used by Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, and others to damage opponents' knees during UFC title fights. The backward-directed variant is used in cage-clinch situations where the opponent is behind the fighter.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Hip extension (driving the leg backward) combined with knee extension at a downward angle — the heel drives downward and backward at 30-45° below horizontal, impacting the opponent's knee, shin, or foot from above
Joints Involved — Hip (extension driving the leg backward), knee (extension directing the heel downward), ankle (dorsiflexion to present the heel as the primary striking surface), standing leg (forward lean for counterbalance), core (stabilisation for the asymmetric backward-downward thrust)
Force Vector — Backward and downward at 30-45° below horizontal — the force vector is directed through the opponent's knee joint from above, which is the joint's weakest loading direction
Leverage Principle — The knee joint is a hinge designed to resist forces along its flexion-extension axis. Forces applied perpendicular to this axis (from the side — as in a clip tackle) or axially from above (as in the Downward Back Kick) exceed the ligaments' tensile strength at much lower force levels than forces along the natural axis. A Downward Back Kick delivering even moderate force (200-300 pounds) to the knee from above can cause ligament sprains or tears, while the same force along the natural axis would be absorbed without injury. This mechanical mismatch is what makes knee-targeting stomps so dangerous.
Position & Entry
Against an attacker behind (self-defence) — When grabbed from behind (rear bear hug, collar grab), stomp the heel downward and backward onto the attacker's lead knee, shin, or instep
Against a clinching opponent behind — When the opponent establishes a rear clinch (back control standing), the Downward Back Kick targets their lead leg to break the clinch base
After a missed spin — After a spinning technique misses and the opponent is close behind, the Downward Back Kick fires into their lead knee without requiring the spin to continue
Against cage circling (MMA) — When pinned against the cage and the opponent circles to the back, the Downward Back Kick targets their lead knee from behind
As a follow-up to a Short Back Kick — The Short Back Kick fires to the midsection, and if the opponent doesn't retreat, the Downward Back Kick follows to the knee — attacking two different levels with the same rearward mechanism
Variants
Knee stomp back kick — targeting the back of the opponent's knee (popliteal fossa) for maximum hyperflexion
Shin stomp back kick — targeting the opponent's shin for pain and potential tibial fracture
Instep stomp — targeting the top of the opponent's foot for metatarsal fracture and acute pain
Sweeping downward back kick — adding a slight lateral component to the stomp, sweeping the opponent's leg out from under them
Heavy stomp — a committed, full-weight stomp where the kicker drives their entire body weight through the heel into the knee
Videos
3 RANT TIPS FOR BACK KICK
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Downward Back Kick·HwarangSam
Not a tutorial this time guys. JUST 3 TIPS. This one is kinda..random
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The downward back kick is executed as a direct, efficient strike characterized by minimal movement and compact chamber mechanics. Both Martial Arts Spirit and HwarangSam emphasize the importance of turning to face away from the target while maintaining a closed body position, though they diverge on execution style. Martial Arts Spirit prescribes a methodical six-step breakdown: turn, look over the shoulder, chamber the leg vertically upward, keep the foot pointing downward rather than to the side, extend powerfully, and drop the leg. The instructor stresses that the chamber should travel in a straight line toward the target, differentiating this "tuck" variation from side-arc approaches used in other martial arts traditions. HwarangSam critiques improper technique distinctions, clarifying that a true back kick differs from a spinning side kick through hip orientation and knee positioning—the hips rotate downward and backward rather than outward, producing power comparable to an uppercut in boxing. HwarangSam also addresses common errors: spinning rather than turning, foot landing past the centerline, and loss of the compact motion. Both instructors stress progression from slow, controlled practice to faster, more powerful execution, with emphasis on maintaining balance and avoiding telegraphing the technique to prevent counter-attacks.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Martial Arts Spirit — How to Back Kick | Martial Arts Spirit Tutorials: Provided systematic six-step technical breakdown emphasizing direct trajectory, vertical chamber, downward foot orientation, and importance of keeping motion efficient and close to the supporting leg.
- HwarangSam — 3 RANT TIPS FOR BACK KICK: Clarified distinctions between back kick and spinning side kick through hip mechanics, identified common execution errors (spinning vs. turning, foot placement past centerline), and provided drills for developing proper turning mechanics.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
The Downward Back Kick targeting the knee is one of the most injurious legal techniques available. The knee joint is structurally vulnerable to axial loading from above — a full-force Downward Back Kick can cause: ACL tears, PCL tears, MCL sprains, meniscus damage, patellar dislocation, and complete knee hyperflexion. The shin and instep targets are less dangerous but still produce significant pain and potential fractures (tibial stress fracture, metatarsal fracture). [1] In self-defence, the technique is considered a 'fight-ender' because knee damage immediately eliminates the attacker's ability to stand and pursue. [1]
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All kicks prohibited in boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
Legal
— Unified MMA — Legal striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFKyokushin — Legal at full power to body and head {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal, body kick 2 points, head kick 3 points, spinn...
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal — kicks are a core Muay Thai technique
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The downward trajectory requires a specific hip angle that must be drilled separately from the standard back kick: practise driving the heel downward and backward at a 30-45° angle, NOT straight backward. Visualise stomping on a step or stair behind you (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010). [1] Target practice: have a partner hold a pad at knee height behind you — stomp the heel downward into the pad. The impact should drive the pad downward, not backward. If the pad moves backward, the kick is too horizontal. [1] In self-defence training, drill the Downward Back Kick as the IMMEDIATE response to a rear grab: attacker grabs the shoulder from behind → stomp heel down onto their lead shin/knee → turn and continue. The stomp buys time to face the threat. [1] On the heavy bag: position the bag so you can stomp downward on its lower section from behind — the kick should produce a heavy impact sound and visible bag compression downward. [1] The instep stomp variant (stomping on the opponent's foot) is the simplest version: when someone stands on your foot from behind, or when you're being held from behind, stomping backward onto the top of their foot causes acute pain from metatarsal compression, often enough to release a grip. [1] NEVER drill the knee-targeting variant with a partner at full power — the knee is too vulnerable. Use pads exclusively for power training, and use ultra-light contact or no-contact for partner accuracy training. [1] In MMA, the Downward Back Kick against the cage wall: when the opponent pins you against the cage from behind, stomp the heel downward onto their lead leg to create space for separation. [2]
Common Mistakes
!Kicking backward instead of downward — the most critical error: if the kick travels straight backward (horizontal), it misses the knee and hits the thigh or midsection. The trajectory must be 30-45° BELOW horizontal.
!Not dorsiflexing the ankle — the HEEL must be the contact surface for maximum damage to the knee; kicking with the sole distributes force and reduces the stomping effect
!Stomping too high — targeting above the knee (thigh) produces a bruise but no structural damage; the kick must target the knee joint, shin, or foot specifically
!Missing the leg entirely — without visual tracking (the kick fires behind), accuracy depends on spatial awareness; practise the blind-targeting aspect with progressively faster partner drills
!Using excessive force in training — the knee-targeting variant is genuinely dangerous; always use pads and controlled force in training
!Losing balance forward — the downward-backward force pushes the body forward; the standing leg must be firmly braced to prevent falling
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Maintain distance from behind — the stomp has very short range (12-18 inches); standing beyond this distance negates itAngle the lead leg — turning the knee outward reduces the knee's vulnerability to the downward axial forceStep to the side — lateral positioning avoids the straight-backward stomp trajectoryRelease the grip — if grabbing the opponent from behind, releasing the grip before the stomp lands avoids the knee damageLift the foot — if the stomp targets the instep, simply lifting the foot avoids the impact
Setup Chain
1Threat from behind detected (grab, clinch, approach) → WITHOUT turning: drive the heel downward and backward at 30-45° below horizontal → Target: opponent's lead knee (primary), shin, or instep → Heel impacts the target from above → Knee hyperflexes, shin bruises, or instep fractures → Attacker's base is damaged, grip loosens → Turn to face the threat → Continue with forward-facing techniques
2In self-defence: rear bear hug → downward back kick to shin/knee → attacker loosens grip → hip escape or turn → counter-attack → disengage
Sources & References
Primary Source
Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010)
1Book[1] De Bremaeker, M. and Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4. Section 4.9 'The Downward Back Kick'. [2] UFC fight records — oblique kick and knee-targeting stomp usage, notably Jon Jones career techniques.pp. De Bremaeker pp.161-162 (Section 4.9 The Downward Back Kick)
description: [1] De Bremaeker 2010 pp.161-162
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3Citation[1] De Bremaeker, M. and Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4. Section 4.9 'The Downward Back Kick'. [2] UFC fight records — oblique kick and knee-targeting stomp usage, notably Jon Jones career techniques.pp. De Bremaeker pp.161-162 (Section 4.9 The Downward Back Kick)
description: [1] De Bremaeker 2010 pp.161-162
Community
Athletics
Minimal physical requirements — stomping backward is a gross motor movement accessible to ALL body types, ages, and fitness levels
No flexibility required
No special conditioning needed
Strong enough legs to stomp (legs used in walking are sufficient)
This is one of the most accessible techniques in all of martial arts
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I position my hips when throwing a back kick compared to a side kick?
With a side kick, your hip bone rotates outward during extension. With a back kick, your hip should turn more downward so the extension goes behind you, toward your back—matching the name of the technique.
What's the most common mistake that leaves me vulnerable to a counter after a back kick?
Over-rotating is the main issue—when you kick, your foot ends up past the center line and your body opens up, creating an opportunity for a counter attack. According to HwarangSam, avoiding this mistake is essential.
How do I keep my back kick efficient without telegraphing it?
Every action should be as small and minimal as possible to stay efficient toward your target. Martial Arts Spirit emphasizes keeping your leg as close as you can to your supporting leg during the chamber and extension phases.
Why should I keep my foot facing down when chambering instead of bringing it to the side?
When your foot goes to the side, you open up your body. Keeping your foot facing down during the chamber keeps your shoulders closed off and facing backward, protecting your torso.
How does the Downward Back Kick work?
The Downward Back Kick drives the heel downward and backward at approximately 30-45° below horizontal, targeting the opponent's knee joint, shin, or instep (top of the foot) from behind — a stomping back kick that attacks the structural integrity of the opponent's legs rather than their body. The technique combines the backward direction of the standard back kick with the downward stomping trajectory of the oblique kick, creating a hybrid that targets the most structurally vulnerable part of the human body — the knee — from the direction the knee is least able to resist force (from above-behind).
Where does the Downward Back Kick come from?
The downward back kick or rear stomp has existed in martial arts for as long as humans have fought in close quarters — stomping backward onto an attacker's leg is an instinctive defensive response that appears across every culture's fighting tradition. In Krav Maga, the rear stomp to the knee, shin, and instep is taught as a foundational self-defence response to rear attacks, reflecting Imi Lichtenfeld's principle that the simplest techniques are the most effective under stress.
Is the Downward Back Kick legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal striking technique; WBC/Boxing: banned — All kicks prohibited in boxing; WKF: legal — Legal, chudan (body) kick scores 2 points, jodan (head) kick scores 3 points; Kyokushin: legal — Legal at full power to body and head; WT: legal — Legal, body kick 2 points, head kick 3 points, spinning body 4 points, spinni…; WAKO: legal — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal — kicks are a core Muay Thai technique
How dangerous is the Downward Back Kick?
Danger rating 8/10. The Downward Back Kick targeting the knee is one of the most injurious legal techniques available. The knee joint is structurally vulnerable to axial loading from above — a full-force Downward Back Kick can cause: ACL tears, PCL tears, MCL sprains, meniscus damage, patellar dislocation, and complete knee hyperflexion. The shin and instep targets are less dangerous but still produce significant pain and potential fractures (tibial stress fracture, metatarsal fracture). In self-defence, the technique is considered a 'fight-ender' because knee damage immediately eliminates the attacker's ability to stand and pursue.
How do I set up the Downward Back Kick?
The standard setup chain: Threat from behind detected (grab, clinch, approach) → WITHOUT turning: drive the heel downward and backward at 30-45° below horizontal → Target: opponent's lead knee (primary), shin, or instep → Heel impacts the target from above → Knee hyperflexes, shin bruises, or instep fractures → Attacker's base is damaged, grip loosens → Turn to face the threat → Continue with forward-facing techniques → In self-defence: rear bear hug → downward back kick to shin/knee → attacker loosens grip → hip escape or turn → counter-attack → disengage.
How do I defend against the Downward Back Kick?
Standard counters include: Maintain distance from behind — the stomp has very short range (12-18 inches); standing beyond this distance negates it / Angle the lead leg — turning the knee outward reduces the knee's vulnerability to the downward axial force / Step to the side — lateral positioning avoids the straight-backward stomp trajectory / Release the grip — if grabbing the opponent from behind, releasing the grip before the stomp lands avoids the knee da….
What are the variants of the Downward Back Kick?
Common variants: Knee stomp back kick (targeting the back of the opponent's knee (popliteal foss…); Shin stomp back kick (targeting the opponent's shin for pain and potential tibi…); Instep stomp (targeting the top of the opponent's foot for metatarsal f…); Sweeping downward back kick (adding a slight lateral component to the stomp, sweeping …); Heavy stomp (a committed, full-weight stomp where the kicker drives th…).
How effective is the Downward Back Kick in competition?
The Downward Back Kick is primarily a self-defence technique. In MMA, the related oblique kick (front-facing knee stomp) has been used by Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, and others to damage opponents' knees during UFC title fights.
What are common mistakes when doing the Downward Back Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Kicking backward instead of downward — the most critical error: if the kick travels straight backward (horizontal), i… / Not dorsiflexing the ankle — the HEEL must be the contact surface for maximum damage to the knee; kicking with the so… / Stomping too high — targeting above the knee (thigh) produces a bruise but no structural damage; the kick must target… / Missing the leg entirely — without visual tracking (the kick fires behind), accuracy depends on spatial awareness; pr….
What are other names for the Downward Back Kick?
The Downward Back Kick is also known as Daunwādo Bakku Kikku, Donkey Kick, Stomping Back Kick, Rear Stomp Kick, Downward Heel Back Kick.