Spin Crescent Kick
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Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick·Beyond Taekwondo
This video is a tutorial of the spin Crescent Kick. Here we breakdown rotation, hip motion, foot placement and flow.
Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick
SubFamilyスピン・バック・アウトサイド・クレセント・キック(Supin Bakku Autosaido Kuresento Kikku)
Translation: Spin-back outside crescent kick
Overview
The Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick combines a 180-degree spin with an outside crescent kick, generating tremendous centrifugal force. [1] The spinning outside crescent is one of the most visually dramatic kicks and delivers significant power to the side of the head. [1]
Spinning Outside Crescent
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Offers specific tactical advantages over the standard crescent kick in appropriate situations. [1]
Lineage
Cross-style martial arts kicking tradition; documented in kick compendiums. [1]
Competition Record
High-risk, high-reward technique seen in MMA, kickboxing, and TKD competition. Multiple notable KOs in UFC and GLORY kickboxing. Less common than standard kicks but spectacular when it lands. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Crescent Kick mechanics modified for spin-back outside crescent kick variant
Joints Involved — Hip, knee, ankle — specific to crescent kick trajectory
Force Vector — Modified crescent kick trajectory
Leverage Principle — Hip rotation and leg extension generate force along the crescent kick arc
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Chamber and execute the spin-back outside crescent kick
From close range — Adapted version for tight distance
Variants
High variant
Mid variant
Low variant
Videos
Inside Crescent to Spinning Crescent Kick
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Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick·Fariborz Azhakh
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The spin-back outside crescent kick is executed by pivoting on the ball of the supporting foot while initiating the rotation with arm and elbow drive, as emphasized by both Beyond Taekwondo and Fariborz Azhakh. The critical distinguishing feature is hip positioning: the hips must face the target at the moment of strike, differentiating this technique from spin hook or spin heel kicks where hips face lateral or backward directions. Beyond Taekwondo stresses the importance of spotting (fixing gaze on a target point before, during, and after the spin) to prevent dizziness and maintain body control, while emphasizing upright posture and knee height during the chambering phase. Azhakh introduces the "rubber band" principle—that spinning power derives from winding and unwinding the body, with the leg extending past the intended impact point before striking. Both instructors agree on maintaining control through proper hip opening and extension. Azhakh notes two valid approaches to leg configuration: bent-leg execution for close range and straight-leg execution for distance. The instructors align on using the side of the foot for contact and breathing out during the kick for proper force release. Both recommend drilling progressively from stationary positions with targets to develop accuracy and body awareness.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Beyond Taekwondo — Spin Crescent Kick: Detailed breakdown of foundational mechanics including spotting technique to prevent dizziness, hip opening requirements, arm positioning for rotational initiation, and emphasis on differentiating from hook/heel kicks through hip-target alignment. Includes injury prevention guidance for hip flexors and core engagement.
- Fariborz Azhakh — Inside Crescent to Spinning Crescent Kick: Introduction of the rubber band unwinding principle for generating rotational power, discussion of bent versus straight leg variations based on distance, heel-pointing technique for trajectory control, and progressive drilling methodology using inside crescent kicks as preparatory movements.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Crescent Kick variant with standard striking power
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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 crescent kick before attempting the spin-back outside crescent kick (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010)
✓Practise with pad work for targeting accuracy
Common Mistakes
!Attempting without solid crescent kick foundation
!Poor balance
!Insufficient power generation
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Feint → Spin-Back Outside Crescent 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 crescent kick foundation
Good balance and coordination
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 6.3. The spinning outside crescent adds rotational momentum to the vertical arc. The heel swings in a wide vertical circle from outside to inside. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I focus on with my feet and body position when spinning for this kick?
You need to be on the ball of your foot when you spin, and don't step with your front foot—instead, launch with your back foot. Beyond Taekwondo emphasizes that spotting a fixed point ahead of you as you turn and finish looking at that same spot keeps your body grounded and prevents dizziness.
How do I initiate the spin and ensure my hips open correctly?
Use your arms and elbows to start the rotation, then let your hips lift and follow. Make sure your hip opens to the side as you throw the knee across—if your hip doesn't open to the side, you'll end up doing a spin hook kick or spin heel kick instead. Beyond Taekwondo stresses that the hip must drop open during the motion.
What's a common balance problem with this kick and how do I fix it?
Leaning back instead of pushing your hips forward throws off your balance and causes your back leg to hop afterward. Focus on maintaining proper alignment and pushing your hips forward throughout the kick to stay balanced.
Which part of my foot should make contact with the target?
You should hit with the side of your foot, not your toes. Fariborz Azhakh notes that you want to aim past the target rather than directly at it to ensure proper technique.
How does the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick work?
The Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick combines a 180-degree spin with an outside crescent kick, generating tremendous centrifugal force. The spinning outside crescent is one of the most visually dramatic kicks and delivers significant power to the side of the head.
Where does the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick come from?
The Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick is a specialised variant documented in cross-style kicking methodology. It represents an advanced development of the standard crescent kick.
Is the Spin-Back Outside Crescent 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 Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. Crescent Kick variant with standard striking power
How do I set up the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick?
The standard setup chain: Feint → Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick → Follow-up combination.
How do I defend against the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick?
Standard counters include: Step inside range / Block and counter / Low kick to support leg.
What are the variants of the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick?
Common variants: High variant; Mid variant; Low variant.
How effective is the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick in competition?
High-risk, high-reward technique seen in MMA, kickboxing, and TKD competition. Multiple notable KOs in UFC and GLORY kickboxing.
What are common mistakes when doing the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without solid crescent kick foundation / Poor balance / Insufficient power generation.
What are other names for the Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick?
The Spin-Back Outside Crescent Kick is also known as Supin Bakku Autosaido Kuresento Kikku, Spinning Outside Crescent.