HOW TO HOOK KICK ROUND KICK | Tutorial
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Downward Hook Kick·Pandas Karate
In this video we'll show you how to do a hook kick into a round kick! To do this karate kick you'll need to learn the …
Downward Hook Kick
SubFamilyダウンワード・フック・キック(Daunwādo Fukku Kikku)
Translation: Downward hook kick
Overview
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Offers specific tactical advantages over the standard hook 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 — Hook Kick mechanics modified for downward hook kick variant
Joints Involved — Hip, knee, ankle — specific to hook kick trajectory
Force Vector — Modified hook kick trajectory
Leverage Principle — Hip rotation and leg extension generate force along the hook kick arc
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Chamber and execute the downward hook kick
From close range — Adapted version for tight distance
Variants
High variant
Mid variant
Low variant
Videos
5 KICK TIPS for HOOK KICKS | #BACKTOTHEBASICS | Martial Arts Tutorials
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Downward Hook Kick·AJKICK 101
5 HOOK KICK DRILLS to step up your kicking game! These are great exercises to do if you're starting out or a well season…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The downward hook kick is a compound striking technique that combines elements of both hook and round kicks. Pandas Karate provides the most detailed breakdown, explaining that the technique requires five distinct phases: chambering the knee high, pointing the toes outward at approximately 45 degrees, executing the hook motion by pulling the leg back (similar to attempting to strike one's own buttocks), re-chambering to a controlled position, and finally extending downward. The instructor emphasizes that practitioners can execute this kick using either pointed toes for lighter sparring and extended reach, or a flexed foot (heel-strike variant) reminiscent of a side kick for more forceful applications such as board breaking or knockout attempts. Proper balance and control are maintained through consistent chambering before and after the strike, which also enables rapid successive kicks from a locked-in position. The technique is typically delivered at head height, though lower targets down to waist height are acceptable. Both instructors stress the importance of foundational round kick and hook kick competency as prerequisites, and recommend practicing with support (such as holding a chair) before attempting free-standing execution. AJKICK 101 emphasizes progressive drilling to build proficiency in hook kicks generally.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Pandas Karate — HOW TO HOOK KICK ROUND KICK | Tutorial: Provided comprehensive five-step breakdown of hook kick mechanics, including chamber position, 45-degree angle execution, pull-back motion, and re-chambering. Detailed two variations: pointed-toe version for sparring and heel-strike version for power applications. Emphasized balance techniques including back-foot toe-pointing.
- AJKICK 101 — 5 KICK TIPS for HOOK KICKS | #BACKTOTHEBASICS | Martial Arts Tutorials: Contributed emphasis on progressive drilling and foundational hook kick development through structured workout routines.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Hook 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 hook kick before attempting the downward hook kick (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010)
✓Practise with pad work for targeting accuracy
Common Mistakes
!Attempting without solid hook kick foundation
!Poor balance
!Insufficient power generation
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Feint → Downward Hook 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 hook kick foundation
Good balance and coordination
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 5.8. The hook kick arcs downward from above — the heel drops onto the target from a high position. Targets the collarbone, shoulder, or top of the head. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I practice the downward hook kick with if I don't have equipment?
You can use a sturdy chair, sofa, or similar object to hold onto for balance while practicing. According to Pandas Karate, it doesn't have to be an actual chair—anything stable will work.
What's the basic sequence of movements for executing a downward hook kick?
Keep your hip to knee area straight as you chamber the kick, round kick out, then bend the knee and drive it downward. Pandas Karate breaks this down as a four-step progression: chamber straight, extend round, bend, then hook down.
How does the Downward Hook Kick work?
The Downward Hook Kick adds a descending arc to the hook trajectory, targeting the collarbone, shoulder, or top of the head from above. The downward component increases the impact by adding gravity to the hooking force.
Where does the Downward Hook Kick come from?
The Downward Hook Kick is a specialised variant documented in cross-style kicking methodology. It represents an advanced development of the standard hook kick.
Is the Downward Hook 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 Downward Hook Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. Hook Kick variant with standard striking power
How do I set up the Downward Hook Kick?
The standard setup chain: Feint → Downward Hook Kick → Follow-up combination.
How do I defend against the Downward Hook Kick?
Standard counters include: Step inside range / Block and counter / Low kick to support leg.
What are the variants of the Downward Hook Kick?
Common variants: High variant; Mid variant; Low variant.
How effective is the Downward Hook 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 Downward Hook Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without solid hook kick foundation / Poor balance / Insufficient power generation.
What are other names for the Downward Hook Kick?
The Downward Hook Kick is also known as Daunwādo Fukku Kikku, Descending Hook Kick.