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Flying Back Kick·US Taekwondo Center - World Headquarters
Flying Back Kick
SubFamily飛び後ろ蹴り(Tobi Ushiro Geri)
descriptiveTranslation: flying back kick
Overview
The Flying Back Kick (Twimyo Dwit Chagi) is a back kick executed with a jumping/flying motion, delivering a powerful heel thrust while airborne. [1] The principle is the same as a standard back pushing kick except the fighter becomes airborne before impact, adding the body's dropping weight to the kick's force. [1] The technique requires the fighter to jump, rotate to sight the target over the shoulder, and drive the heel backward — all while in the air. It is one of the most powerful but highest-risk kicking techniques in the TKD arsenal. [1]
Twimyo Dwit ChagiKRFlying Back Thrust KickJumping Back KickAirborne Back Kick
History & Origin
The Flying Back Kick (Twimyo Dwit Chagi) is documented in General Choi's Taekwon-Do encyclopedia as one of the flying kick category techniques. [1] The principle is the same as a standard back pushing kick with the addition of airborne execution. It is also practiced in karate and kickboxing as an advanced technique. [1]
Effectiveness
One of the most powerful kicks when it lands — the airborne body weight combined with the heel thrust creates devastating impact. [1] However, the airborne state means the kicker is committed and vulnerable if the kick misses. High risk, high reward. Used primarily as a finishing technique against hurt or retreating opponents.
Lineage
Practiced across Taekwondo, karate, and wushu. TKD lineage: General Choi Hong Hi → ITF/WT systems. Karate lineage: Okinawan te → Japanese karate. [1]
Competition Record
Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing. Appears occasionally in TKD and point-fighting karate tournaments. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Jump into the air, rotate body, drive heel backward at apex
Joints Involved — Both legs (jump), hip extension (thrust), knee extension
Force Vector — Backward with added downward momentum from jumping
Striking Surface — Heel
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Jump upward and backward, sight target over shoulder, drive heel backward at apex of jump
As a counter — Opponent advances, jump back and kick simultaneously
Variants
Straight jump — minimal rotation, maximum thrust
With spin — 180° rotation adds power
Step-through — forward step then jump and kick backward
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Airborne heel thrust generates enormous force. Landing risk if technique misses.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Unified MMA— standard striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWKF Karate— controlled contact required
WKF Kumite Rules 2026PDFWT Taekwondo— kicks are primary scoring technique
WT Competition Rules 2026PDFWAKO Kickboxing— full contact permitted
WAKO Full Contact RulesPDFIFMA Muay Thai— all strikes permitted
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓ALWAYS sight the target before kicking — never kick blind in the air
✓The jump should be more UP than BACK — height gives time for the kick
✓Drive the heel straight back at the apex of the jump
✓Land with the kicking foot first, then the standing foot
✓Practice on pads before sparring — the timing is critical
Common Mistakes
!Jumping backward instead of upward — reduces kick height and power
!Not sighting the target — kicking blind dramatically reduces accuracy
!Landing on the kicking foot too hard — knee injury risk
!Telegraphing the jump with excessive preparation
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Hurt opponent retreating → close distance with flying back kick
2Jab-cross stuns opponent → flying back kick to finish
3Off the cage/ropes — push off and fly back kick to the head
Sources & References
Primary Source
Choi, H.H. (1999). Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. International Taekwon-Do Federation.
1BookChoi, H.H. (1999). Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. International Taekwon-Do Federation.
[1] Choi, Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (1999), Flying Kicks section
2CitationChoi, H.H. (1999). Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. International Taekwon-Do Federation.
[1] Choi, Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (1999), Flying Kicks section
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive leg power for the jump, flexibility, spatial awareness while airborne
Key muscles
calves + quadriceps (jump), gluteus maximus (thrust), core (stability in air)
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 4.7. Combines a jumping entry with the back kick — closes distance while generating the most powerful kick in the martial arts arsenal. The flying version adds height and momentum to the already devastating back kick force. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three main parts of a flying back kick?
The flying back kick consists of three parts: the run, the jump, and the kick. According to US Taekwondo Center - World Headquarters, mastering each phase in sequence is essential for executing the technique properly.
How do I maintain balance during a flying back kick?
Keep your hips straight and recoil your arms in the opposite direction of the kick to maintain balance. US Taekwondo Center - World Headquarters emphasizes looking at your target while executing this arm movement, then returning with a snap before landing.
What's a common mistake when practicing the flying back kick?
Allowing your hips to open during the technique will result in a side kick instead. US Taekwondo Center - World Headquarters recommends keeping both hands flat on the ground during practice to prevent your hips from opening.
How does the Flying Back Kick work?
The Flying Back Kick (Twimyo Dwit Chagi) is a back kick executed with a jumping/flying motion, delivering a powerful heel thrust while airborne. The principle is the same as a standard back pushing kick except the fighter becomes airborne before impact, adding the body's dropping weight to the kick's force.
Where does the Flying Back Kick come from?
The Flying Back Kick (Twimyo Dwit Chagi) is documented in General Choi's Taekwon-Do encyclopedia as one of the flying kick category techniques. The principle is the same as a standard back pushing kick with the addition of airborne execution.
Is the Flying Back Kick legal in competition?
Unified MMA: Legal: legal — standard striking technique; WKF Karate: Legal: legal — controlled contact required; WT Taekwondo: Legal: legal — kicks are primary scoring technique; WAKO Kickboxing: Legal: legal — full contact permitted; IFMA Muay Thai: Legal: legal — all strikes permitted
How dangerous is the Flying Back Kick?
Danger rating 7/10. High — airborne heel thrust generates enormous force. Landing risk if technique misses.
How do I set up the Flying Back Kick?
The standard setup chain: Hurt opponent retreating → close distance with flying back kick → Jab-cross stuns opponent → flying back kick to finish → Off the cage/ropes.
How do I defend against the Flying Back Kick?
Standard counters include: Step to the side — the kick is committed to one line / Push forward — disrupt the jump before the kick launches / Duck and level change — the airborne kicker can't adjust height.
What are the variants of the Flying Back Kick?
Common variants: Straight jump (minimal rotation, maximum thrust); With spin (180° rotation adds power); Step-through (forward step then jump and kick backward).
How effective is the Flying Back Kick in competition?
Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing.
What are common mistakes when doing the Flying Back Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Jumping backward instead of upward — reduces kick height and power / Not sighting the target — kicking blind dramatically reduces accuracy / Landing on the kicking foot too hard — knee injury risk / Telegraphing the jump with excessive preparation.
What are other names for the Flying Back Kick?
The Flying Back Kick is also known as Tobi Ushiro Geri, Twimyo Dwit Chagi, Flying Back Thrust Kick, Jumping Back Kick, Airborne Back Kick.