5 Variations of (Round) Low Kicks
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Low Back Kick·fightTIPS
When we think of Muay Thai, we picture that low roundhouse kick to the legs, but there are many different variations and…
Low Back Kick
SubFamily下段後ろ蹴り(Gedan Ushiro Geri)
Translation: Low back kick
Overview
The Low Back Kick targets the opponent's knee, shin, or lower thigh from behind, aiming to damage the structural support of the lead leg. [1] By directing the back kick downward at the opponent's lower body, the practitioner attacks a target that is difficult to defend when struck from behind. [1] This technique is particularly effective as a counter when the opponent is advancing. [1]
Low Ushiro GeriJP
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
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 — Back Kick mechanics modified for low 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 low back kick
From close range — Adapted version for tight distance
Variants
High variant
Mid variant
Low variant
Videos
Learning to kick like a TAEKWONDO ATHLETE
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Low Back Kick·Nat Hearn
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2 videos
What Instructors Say
The low back kick represents a foundational striking technique with multiple pedagogical approaches across martial arts disciplines. Nat Hearn's taekwondo-focused instruction emphasizes the technique as part of a progression of rotational kicks, building from basic mechanics toward advanced variations like the 360 spinning hook kick and 540 spinning kick. Hearn stresses proper hip rotation, knee chamber positioning, and the coordinated use of non-kicking leg mechanics to generate height and power. The instruction prioritizes body mechanics: externally rotating the hip to allow the non-kicking knee to point toward the target direction, lifting the foot high during chamber to create backward lean for additional altitude, and maintaining continuous practice to refine execution. In contrast, fightTIPS's Shane presents low roundhouse kicks through a Muay Thai and Dutch kickboxing lens, focusing on tactical application and damage mechanics. Shane distinguishes between trajectories—downward axe-chop style targeting the quadriceps tendon versus upward variations used by Dutch fighters for speed and boxing integration. fightTIPS also covers inside leg kicks, calf scoops for balance disruption, and outside calf kicks for leg shutdown or sweeping, emphasizing functional purpose over a single mechanical ideal. Where Hearn prioritizes aesthetic form and progressive difficulty, fightTIPS prioritizes situational effectiveness, target selection, and setup combinations. Both instructors agree on the importance of footwork fundamentals and sequential practice, though their pedagogical frameworks reflect their respective combat sport traditions.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Nat Hearn — Learning to kick like a TAEKWONDO ATHLETE: Teaches low back kick mechanics as part of taekwondo's rotational kick progression, emphasizing hip external rotation, knee chamber height, and non-kicking leg positioning for power generation and elevation.
- fightTIPS — 5 Variations of (Round) Low Kicks: Presents low roundhouse kick variations with tactical and stylistic distinctions: Muay Thai downward trajectory for damage, Dutch upward variation for speed, inside/outside leg targeting for balance disruption or leg shutdown, with emphasis on functional application and setup combinations.
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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
Intermediate
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 low 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 → Low 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 4.2. A back kick aimed at low targets — the thigh, knee, or shin. Faster and harder to see than the standard mid-level back kick. Used as a range-management tool in kickboxing. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I think about before throwing a low back kick?
Consider your purpose first—are you trying to do damage, knock them off balance, or prioritize speed? This clarifies which variation of the technique you should use.
How do I position my hips correctly when throwing a low back kick?
According to Nat Hearn, the key is to externally rotate your hip as your non-kicking leg comes around. Avoid bringing your knee inward; proper hip rotation is essential for correct technique.
How can I set up a low back kick to the calf?
Throw a cross, fake the jab, and get to the outside angle—this positioning lets you cleanly smash the calf without telegraphing your intention.
How does the Low Back Kick work?
The Low Back Kick targets the opponent's knee, shin, or lower thigh from behind, aiming to damage the structural support of the lead leg. By directing the back kick downward at the opponent's lower body, the practitioner attacks a target that is difficult to defend when struck from behind.
Where does the Low Back Kick come from?
The Low Back Kick is a specialised variant documented in cross-style kicking methodology. It represents an advanced development of the standard back kick.
Is the Low 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 Low Back Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. Back Kick variant with standard striking power
How do I set up the Low Back Kick?
The standard setup chain: Feint → Low Back Kick → Follow-up combination.
How do I defend against the Low Back Kick?
Standard counters include: Step inside range / Block and counter / Low kick to support leg.
What are the variants of the Low Back Kick?
Common variants: High variant; Mid variant; Low variant.
How effective is the Low 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 Low Back Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without solid back kick foundation / Poor balance / Insufficient power generation.
What are other names for the Low Back Kick?
The Low Back Kick is also known as Gedan Ushiro Geri, Low Ushiro Geri.