3 Basic Punches
0
Penetrating Back Kick·World of Martial Arts Television
What are the Lead Jab Punch, the Hook Punch and the Cross Punch? How do they look, what are they attacking and protecti…
Penetrating Back Kick
SubFamily後ろ蹴り(Ushiro Geri)
TraditionalTranslation: back thrust kick
Overview
The Penetrating Back Kick is the foundational back kick — a straight-line thrust delivered backward using the heel, driving through the target with full hip extension. [1] From fighting stance, the fighter looks over the shoulder to sight the target, chambers the kicking leg with the knee raised, and drives the heel straight back into the opponent's midsection. [1] This is one of the most powerful kicks in martial arts — the alignment of the spine, hip, and heel in a straight line allows maximum force transfer. [1] It is particularly effective as a counter against opponents who rush forward, using their own momentum against them. [1]
Ushiro GeriJPBack Thrust KickDwi ChagiKRRear Straight Kick
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Practiced across Taekwondo and karate. TKD lineage: General Choi Hong Hi → ITF/WT systems. In karate, the thrusting back kick (ushiro kekomi) traces to Okinawan traditions. [1]
Competition Record
Frequently used in MMA (UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator), kickboxing (GLORY, K-1), and Muay Thai (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern). One of the most commonly thrown kicks in professional striking competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Straight-line rear thrust using heel — spine, hip, heel aligned
Joints Involved — Hip extension (thrust), knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion (heel)
Force Vector — Straight backward — one of the most direct force paths
Striking Surface — Heel
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Look over shoulder, chamber knee, drive heel straight back
As counter — Opponent rushes forward, turn and drive heel into solar plexus using their momentum
Variants
To the solar plexus — primary target
To the liver — fight-ending potential
To the head — requires flexibility and timing
Videos
Back Piercing Kick - Taekwon-Do Lesson #48
0
Penetrating Back Kick·Donato Nardizzi
In this video I show you how to perform a Back Piercing Kick (Dwitcha Jirugi) I explain the application of the techniq…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The penetrating back kick, as taught by Donata Nardizzi, is a rear-directed striking technique using the foot sword (the blade of the foot) as the striking surface, distinguished from the heel strike which Nardizzi notes is incorrect according to Taekwondo Encyclopedia. The technique begins from bending ready stance type B, a preparatory posture involving a forward-pointing stance foot, raised knee at platform height with flat foot, slight forward lean, and bent elbow with fists held 25 centimeters from the thigh while looking behind. Execution involves extending the leg behind the body with minimal foot rotation—the foot sword rotates only slightly and toes point approximately 45 degrees downward to maintain hip position. Nardizzi emphasizes that excessive rotation elevates the hip and converts the technique into a side piercing kick, thus the back piercing kick requires disciplined hip control. Full knee extension at completion yields maximum power, though the kick can contact while the knee remains bent. Nardizzi prescribes four progressive practice stages: isolated kick from ready stance, kick without preparatory stance, forward-facing kick requiring prior rotation, and finally integrated execution from standing position. The technique differs from other back kicks such as back snap kick and back pushing kick, each serving distinct tactical purposes.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Donato Nardizzi — Back Piercing Kick - Taekwon-Do Lesson #48: Primary source providing complete technical instruction including stance preparation (bending ready stance type B), striking surface (foot sword), hip and foot rotation mechanics, knee extension principles, and four-stage progressive practice methodology. Establishes nomenclature distinctions between back piercing kick and other back kick variants.
- World of Martial Arts Television — 3 Basic Punches: No relevant content; transcript covers punching techniques (jab, hook, cross) unrelated to back kick instruction.
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Linear alignment generates maximum force. Solar plexus strikes cause breathing failure; liver strikes cause collapse.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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 RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓ALWAYS look at target over shoulder before kicking
✓Power comes from hip extension — drive hip through
✓Keep kick in straight line — any arc reduces force
✓Heel must be impact point
✓Retract quickly to return to stance
Common Mistakes
!Not looking at target — reduces accuracy
!Kicking in an arc — becomes hook kick
!Using ball of foot instead of heel
!Not driving hip through
!Leaning too far forward
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Counter — opponent advances, turn and drive heel to solar plexus
2Feint a turn → deliver straight back kick instead of spin
3Clinch break → back kick to create distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
De Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.
1BookDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 145-147
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 4.1, pp. 145-147
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 145-147
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 4.1, pp. 145-147
Community
Athletics
Requires
sight target over shoulder, hip extension power, one-leg balance
Key muscles
gluteus maximus, hamstrings, quadriceps, core
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 4.1. The standard thrusting back kick — the heel drives straight backward through the target. The most powerful kick in martial arts due to hip extension and full body weight alignment. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What part of the foot should I use to execute a penetrating back kick?
According to the Taekwondo Encyclopedia, you should use the ball of the foot, not the heel as some instructors incorrectly teach.
What preparatory stance should I use before practicing the back piercing kick?
You should learn the bending ready stance type B, which is the proper preparatory stance for the back kick, as opposed to type A which is used for side piercing kick.
How does the Penetrating Back Kick work?
The Penetrating Back Kick is the foundational back kick — a straight-line thrust delivered backward using the heel, driving through the target with full hip extension. From fighting stance, the fighter looks over the shoulder to sight the target, chambers the kicking leg with the knee raised, and drives the heel straight back into the opponent's midsection.
Where does the Penetrating Back Kick come from?
The penetrating back kick (ushiro geri) is one of the most powerful kicks in traditional martial arts, practiced across taekwondo, karate, and kickboxing. The spine-hip-heel alignment allows maximum force transfer.
Is the Penetrating 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
How dangerous is the Penetrating Back Kick?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — linear alignment generates maximum force. Solar plexus strikes cause breathing failure; liver strikes cause collapse.
How do I set up the Penetrating Back Kick?
The standard setup chain: Counter → Feint a turn → deliver straight back kick instead of spin → Clinch break → back kick to create distance.
How do I defend against the Penetrating Back Kick?
Standard counters include: Angle off to the side / Wait for miss and counter on recovery / Don't rush forward — designed to punish forward movement.
What are the variants of the Penetrating Back Kick?
Common variants: To the solar plexus (primary target); To the liver (fight-ending potential); To the head (requires flexibility and timing).
How effective is the Penetrating Back Kick in competition?
Frequently used in MMA (UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator), kickboxing (GLORY, K-1), and Muay Thai (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern). One of the most commonly thrown kicks in professional striking competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Penetrating Back Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Not looking at target — reduces accuracy / Kicking in an arc — becomes hook kick / Using ball of foot instead of heel / Not driving hip through.
What are other names for the Penetrating Back Kick?
The Penetrating Back Kick is also known as Ushiro Geri, Back Thrust Kick, Dwi Chagi, Rear Straight Kick.