“Spinning” Back Kicks: footwork so you can actually land them
0
Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick·Ramsey Dewey
How to land more spinning back kicks in your fights- or should I say “turning back kicks”? Shanghai based MMA coach and…
Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick
SubFamilyハンド・オン・ザ・フロア・スピニング・バック・フック・キック(Hando on za Furoa Supiningu Bakku Fukku Kikku)
Translation: Hand-on-the-floor spinning back hook kick
Overview
This advanced technique combines a spinning back hook kick with hand-on-the-floor support, creating a ground-level spinning attack with maximum reach. [1] It draws from capoeira's ground-level spinning attacks and traditional martial arts sacrifice techniques. [1]
Ground-Supported Spinning HookBoxing
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
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]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Hook Kick mechanics modified for hand-on-the-floor spinning back 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 hand-on-the-floor spinning back hook kick
From close range — Adapted version for tight distance
Variants
High variant
Mid variant
Low variant
Videos
Spinning Hook Kick Knockouts and Tutorial - Coach Firas Zahabi
0
Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick·Tristar Gym
The spinning hook kick or Crocodile Tail as its called by the Thai's is one of the most powerful strikes in MMA. In thi…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The hand-on-the-floor spinning back hook kick is a foundational drill for developing a straight, powerful back-kick without rotational contamination. Ramsey Dewey emphasizes this progression as a corrective tool: practitioners place both hands on the floor, execute the turning motion, and lift the kicking leg vertically before driving it backward. This method ensures the leg travels in a perfectly straight line rather than arcing into an uncontrolled hook-kick, a common error Dewey identifies when practitioners over-rotate by looking too far around their shoulder. Dewey notes that the floor-hand positioning eliminates the spinning momentum that causes wayward kicks, making it ideal for beginners or those struggling with precision. The drill reinforces proper heel-alignment mechanics—pointing the heel at the target is paramount, as the standing leg's position determines both distance and contact quality. Tristar Gym's Coach Firas Zahabi does not address the hand-on-floor variation explicitly but reinforces that the spinning hook kick (the advanced version) requires disguised footwork, eye retention on target during the pivot, and accurate striking of the chin for knockout power. Both instructors agree that footwork setup and target awareness are foundational; Dewey's floor-hand drill isolates the kicking mechanics while Zahabi's method emphasizes combat application and timing within fighting range.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Ramsey Dewey — "Spinning" Back Kicks: footwork so you can actually land them: Introduces the hand-on-floor progression as a corrective drill to eliminate spin and ensure straight-line execution; emphasizes heel alignment and the dangers of over-rotation when the head turns too far around.
- Tristar Gym — Spinning Hook Kick Knockouts and Tutorial - Coach Firas Zahabi: Covers the full spinning hook kick in combat context, stressing disguised pivot mechanics, eye retention, and chin-targeting accuracy for knockouts; provides tactical scenarios for kick deployment in punching range and ring-cutting situations.
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
6
High6/10
Hook Kick variant with standard striking power
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
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 hand-on-the-floor spinning back 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 → Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back 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 5.15. A spinning back hook kick delivered with one hand on the floor — combines capoeira-style ground contact with a spinning hook trajectory. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to throw a spinning back kick in a fight?
According to Ramsey Dewey, the ideal moment is when your opponent starts rotating away from your power hand. Avoid throwing the kick if your opponent moves away from your initial strike or moves forward toward you, as these are poor setups for landing the technique.
Why does my spinning back kick keep turning into a full spin instead of going straight back?
Ramsey Dewey explains that this happens because you're looking over your shoulder trying to see the details. Instead, think of kicking straight backwards like a bull or horse—kick in a straight line without letting the kick turn into a spin.
How important is heel alignment when executing this kick?
Heel alignment is critical—Ramsey Dewey emphasizes pointing your heel directly at your target, as your leg will travel in whatever direction your heel is pointing. If your heel points at the camera, your leg goes toward the camera; if it points at the ropes, it goes into the ropes.
How do I keep my eyes on target while turning my back for the kick?
Coach Firas Zahabi from Tristar Gym recommends keeping your eyes on the target as long as possible during the pivot, and use the corner of your eye to maintain sight of the target. Make sure the moment you turn your back is as short as possible by disguising the kick with footwork and feints.
How does the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick work?
This advanced technique combines a spinning back hook kick with hand-on-the-floor support, creating a ground-level spinning attack with maximum reach. It draws from capoeira's ground-level spinning attacks and traditional martial arts sacrifice techniques.
Where does the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick come from?
The Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick is a specialised variant documented in cross-style kicking methodology. It represents an advanced development of the standard hook kick.
Is the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back 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 Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. Hook Kick variant with standard striking power
How do I set up the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick?
The standard setup chain: Feint → Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick → Follow-up combination.
How do I defend against the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick?
Standard counters include: Step inside range / Block and counter / Low kick to support leg.
What are the variants of the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick?
Common variants: High variant; Mid variant; Low variant.
How effective is the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook 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 Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without solid hook kick foundation / Poor balance / Insufficient power generation.
What are other names for the Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick?
The Hand-on-the-Floor Spinning Back Hook Kick is also known as Hando on za Furoa Supiningu Bakku Fukku Kikku, Ground-Supported Spinning Hook.