Retreating Pendulum - Kenpo self defense technique for a right back kick
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Drop Overhead Back Kick·Charm City Karate
Self Defense Techniques: In this episode Mr James of Charm City Karate demonstrates Retreating Pendulum, which is a Kenp…
Drop Overhead Back Kick
SubFamilyドロップ・オーバーヘッド・バック・キック(Doroppu Ōbāheddo Bakku Kikku)
Translation: Drop overhead back kick
Overview
The Drop Overhead Back Kick is a dramatic technique where the practitioner drops forward while kicking the heel overhead and behind, striking a target above and behind them in a scorpion-like motion. [1] This highly acrobatic kick requires exceptional flexibility and body control. [1] It is sometimes called the scorpion kick for the arched-back position during execution. [1]
Scorpion KickOverhead Drop Back Kick
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Offers specific tactical advantages over the standard back kick in appropriate situations. [1]
Lineage
Cross-style martial arts kicking tradition; documented in kick compendiums. [1]
Competition Record
An acrobatic kick variation primarily seen in demonstrations and point-fighting tournaments. Not practical in full-contact competition due to the ground recovery time required. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Back Kick mechanics modified for drop overhead back kick variant
Joints Involved — Hip, knee, ankle — specific to back kick trajectory
Force Vector — Modified back kick trajectory
Leverage Principle — Hip rotation and leg extension generate force along the back kick arc
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Chamber and execute the drop overhead back kick
From close range — Adapted version for tight distance
Variants
High variant
Mid variant
Low variant
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Back Kick variant with standard striking power
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Elite
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
✓Master the standard back kick before attempting the drop overhead back kick (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010)
✓Practise with pad work for targeting accuracy
Common Mistakes
!Attempting without solid back kick foundation
!Poor balance
!Insufficient power generation
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Feint → Drop Overhead Back Kick → Follow-up combination
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: 89 Kicks from Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Others. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4.
2Citation[1] De Bremaeker, M. and Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks: 89 Kicks from Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Others. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4.
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010)
Community
Athletics
Requires solid back kick foundation
Good balance and coordination
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 4.4. A dramatic kick where the attacker drops backward while the kicking leg travels overhead — acrobatic and unpredictable. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I step back when executing a drop overhead back kick?
Avoid taking a big step drag backwards. Instead, use a controlled step that allows you to maximize torso movement and create distance from the incoming attack without overcommitting your footwork.
What should my upper body be doing while I step back to defend against a back kick?
Execute a rear cross simultaneously with your block as the kick comes in. The rear cross maximizes the amount of space you can move your torso, the target area your opponent is attacking, allowing you to evade more effectively.
How does the Drop Overhead Back Kick work?
The Drop Overhead Back Kick is a dramatic technique where the practitioner drops forward while kicking the heel overhead and behind, striking a target above and behind them in a scorpion-like motion. This highly acrobatic kick requires exceptional flexibility and body control.
Where does the Drop Overhead Back Kick come from?
The Drop Overhead Back Kick is a specialised variant documented in cross-style kicking methodology. It represents an advanced development of the standard back kick.
Is the Drop Overhead 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 Drop Overhead Back Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. Back Kick variant with standard striking power
How do I set up the Drop Overhead Back Kick?
The standard setup chain: Feint → Drop Overhead Back Kick → Follow-up combination.
How do I defend against the Drop Overhead Back Kick?
Standard counters include: Step inside range / Block and counter / Low kick to support leg.
What are the variants of the Drop Overhead Back Kick?
Common variants: High variant; Mid variant; Low variant.
How effective is the Drop Overhead Back Kick in competition?
An acrobatic kick variation primarily seen in demonstrations and point-fighting tournaments. Not practical in full-contact competition due to the ground recovery time required.
What are common mistakes when doing the Drop Overhead Back Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without solid back kick foundation / Poor balance / Insufficient power generation.
What are other names for the Drop Overhead Back Kick?
The Drop Overhead Back Kick is also known as Doroppu Ōbāheddo Bakku Kikku, Scorpion Kick, Overhead Drop Back Kick.