Hook/Spinning Hook Kick Tutorial
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Standard Hook Kick·US National Taekwondo Academy NJ
In this video, we discuss what a hook kick is and not only how to execute it properly, but also how to train ourselves t…
Standard Hook Kick
SubFamilyスタンダード鉤蹴り(Sutandādo Kagi-geri)
HybridTranslation: standard hook kick
Overview
The Standard Hook Kick subfamily covers the basic hook kick where the kicker extends the leg as if throwing a side kick, then hooks the foot back to strike the target with the heel as the leg retracts. [1] The deceptive two-phase motion — extension followed by retraction — makes the kick difficult to read and time, as defenders initially react to what appears to be a side kick. [1],[2] The standard hook kick primarily targets the head, particularly the temple and jaw, and is most effective when preceded by techniques that condition the opponent to expect linear kicks. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Standard hook kick. [1]
Lineage
From TKD/karate. [1]
Competition Record
Used in competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Ballistic extension of the arm — kinetic chain transfers force from the ground through the hips to the fist
Joints Involved — Shoulder (flexion/rotation), elbow (rapid extension), wrist (stabilised on impact), hips (rotation)
Force Vector — Linear (jab, cross) or circular (hook, overhand) depending on the punch type
Kinetic Chain — Ground reaction force → hip rotation → torso rotation → shoulder extension → fist impact — each link amplifies velocity
Position & Entry
From boxing stance (after jab-cross) — Rotate the lead hip, swing the lead arm in a horizontal arc, elbow at 90°, target the jaw or body
As counter (check hook) — Pivot on the lead foot as the opponent charges in, throw the hook while stepping off the centre line
From short range — In close range or clinch, shorten the arc and use hip rotation for a tight hook
Videos
Spinning Hook Kick Tutorial
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Standard Hook Kick·Technical Taekwondo
Master Messmer's Back Spinning Hook Kick Tutorial. for Dunes Camp Registration, go to www.risingstartaekwondo.com/dune…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Whipping heel strike; high KO potential to temple
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
✓Chamber the kicking knee and extend the leg as if throwing a side kick past the target's head
✓Once the leg is fully extended past the target, flex the knee and whip the heel back into the jaw or temple
✓The hook travels behind the opponent's guard — it approaches from the side and rear of their head
✓Pivot the support foot to allow the hips to rotate through the full extension and hook sequence
✓The power comes from the hamstring snap and hip pull during the hooking phase
✓Time the hook kick against opponents who pull straight back from kicks — their retreat carries their head into the heel
✓In Taekwondo competition, the hook kick (huryeo chagi) is one of the highest-scoring techniques
Common Mistakes
!Trying to hook without first extending past the target — the kick must go beyond and then come back
!Hooking too wide and missing the back of the head entirely — the arc must be tight and targeted
!Not pivoting the support foot, which restricts the hip rotation needed for the full extension and hook
!Using the ball of the foot instead of the heel for the hooking contact
!Leaning forward during the extension phase, which compromises the hooking power
!Throwing the hook kick when the opponent is advancing — it works best against retreating or stationary targets
!Not practising the full sequence slowly before adding speed — the timing of the extension-to-hook transition is the hard part
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Setup with Straight Punch — use a jab or cross to occupy the opponent's guard
2Pivot the Lead Foot — rotate on the ball of the foot to generate hip torque
3Arc the Arm — swing the fist in a horizontal arc at the target angle
4Follow Through — drive through the target and return to guard position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966) [2] Kukkiwon Taekwondo Textbook (Kukkiwon, 2006) [3] Best Karate Vol. 5 (Nakayama, 1979)
2BookChampionship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966) [2] Kukkiwon Taekwondo Textbook (Kukkiwon, 2006) [3] Best Karate Vol. 5 (Nakayama, 1979)
5CitationChampionship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip rotation, horizontal arm acceleration, tight elbow angle
Favours
compact build for short-range hooks, strong core
Key muscles
obliques, hip rotators, pectorals, biceps, forearms
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate more power in a hook kick?
Hook kick is a full body effort—your whole body, not just your leg, has to work together to make the kick work. Your body torques while your leg kicks through, so focus on coordinating your entire body movement rather than relying only on leg strength.
What's the most common mistake when spinning for a hook kick?
Keep your feet on the same line when in fighting stance. If your feet are crossed or your lead foot is even three or four inches off, you'll lose balance during the pivot and won't be able to complete the kick properly.
What should I do with my arms and heel when executing a spinning hook kick?
Keep your heel off the floor and swing your arms close to your body. If you spin on your heel or with your foot flat, you won't make the full rotation, but keeping your heel up and using your arms will allow you to complete the spin and land properly.
Should I spin on my heels or toes?
Spin on your toes, not your heels. Spinning on your heels will prevent you from making a full rotation and cause you to lose balance.
How does the Standard Hook Kick work?
The Standard Hook Kick subfamily covers the basic hook kick where the kicker extends the leg as if throwing a side kick, then hooks the foot back to strike the target with the heel as the leg retracts. The deceptive two-phase motion — extension followed by retraction — makes the kick difficult to read and time, as defenders initially react to what appears to be a side kick.
Where does the Standard Hook Kick come from?
The standard hook kick is a fundamental technique in taekwondo (huryeo chagi) and karate (ura mawashi geri), taught as part of the standard kicking curriculum in both arts. It has been a regular scoring technique in World Taekwondo competition since the sport's early competitive era.
Is the Standard 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 Standard Hook Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. High — whipping heel strike; high KO potential to temple
How do I set up the Standard Hook Kick?
The standard setup chain: Setup with Straight Punch → Pivot the Lead Foot → Arc the Arm → Follow Through.
How do I defend against the Standard Hook Kick?
Standard counters include: Check (Shin Block) — raise the shin to intercept the kick before it lands / Catch and Sweep — catch the kicking leg and sweep the standing leg / Step Inside — close distance inside the kick's effective range to smother it.
What are the variants of the Standard Hook Kick?
Common variants: Standard hook (horizontal-arc punch targeting the jaw or temple); Tight hook (compact, short-range hook for close-quarters fighting); Body hook (targeting the ribs or liver with a downward-angled hook); Check hook (pivoting on the lead foot while throwing the hook as a co…).
How effective is the Standard Hook Kick in competition?
Used in competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Hook Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Trying to hook without first extending past the target — the kick must go beyond and then come back / Hooking too wide and missing the back of the head entirely — the arc must be tight and targeted / Not pivoting the support foot, which restricts the hip rotation needed for the full extension and hook / Using the ball of the foot instead of the heel for the hooking contact.
What are other names for the Standard Hook Kick?
The Standard Hook Kick is also known as Sutandādo Kagi-geri, Ura Mawashi Geri, Huryeo Chagi, Reverse Roundhouse Kick.