Turning Kick - Taekwon-Do Lesson #47
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Spinning-Turning Kick·Donato Nardizzi
In this video I show you how to perform a Turning Kick (Dollyo Chagi) I explain the application of the technique and s…
Spinning-Turning Kick
SubFamily回転蹴り(Kaiten-geri)
TraditionalTranslation: spinning/turning kick
Overview
The Spinning/Turning Kick subfamily covers roundhouse kick variations that incorporate a full rotational turn of the body (180-360 degrees) before delivering the kick, adding centripetal force and angular momentum to the strike. [1] Spinning kicks are among the most powerful techniques in a fighter's arsenal, as the full-body rotation multiplies the force available at the moment of impact, but they also carry significant risk because the rotation turns the kicker's back to the opponent mid-execution. [1],[2] This subfamily includes the spinning back kick, spinning hook kick, and tornado kick, each combining rotation with a different kicking trajectory. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Spinning kick techniques have deep roots in Korean and Chinese martial arts, with taekwondo developing an extensive repertoire of spinning and turning kicks as signature techniques of the art. [1] The spinning back kick and spinning hook kick became competition staples in taekwondo and full-contact karate in the 1970s and 1980s. [1],[2] In MMA and kickboxing, spinning kicks have produced some of the most spectacular knockouts in combat sports history. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Spinning kicks are found in TKD, karate, and have been adopted into MMA. [1]
Competition Record
Spinning kicks have produced spectacular knockouts in MMA. [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
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Most common KO kick; generates ~1,000N force to head (Falco et al. 2009)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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
✓All spinning kicks require the same fundamentals: spot the target before spinning, rotate explosively through the hips, and recover balance after delivery
✓The power of spinning kicks comes from full-body rotational momentum — they generate significantly more force than linear kicks
✓Spin tight: keep the arms close to the body during rotation to increase angular velocity, like a figure skater pulling in their arms
✓The head should lead the spin — look over the lead shoulder, spot the target, and let the body follow
✓Use spinning kicks as surprise weapons after establishing a pattern of standard attacks
✓Spinning techniques leave the back exposed momentarily — they must be thrown with commitment and speed
✓Recovery is critical: drill returning to stance after every spin, whether the kick lands or misses
Common Mistakes
!Spinning without spotting the target, which makes you dizzy and inaccurate
!Initiating the spin with the shoulders instead of the hips, which is slower and telegraphs the rotation
!Spinning too slowly, giving the opponent time to step in and counter while your back is turned
!Throwing spinning kicks when fatigued — they require coordination and balance that deteriorate rapidly with exhaustion
!Over-using spinning attacks until the opponent recognises the pattern and times a counter
!Not keeping the arms close during the spin, which slows the rotation and opens the guard
!Failing to commit to the full rotation — stopping halfway leaves you in the worst possible position with your back exposed
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Stance and Range — verify correct distance for the kick to land at full extension
2Chamber the Leg — lift the knee to prepare the kicking trajectory
3Execute the Kick — extend the leg through the target with the appropriate striking surface
4Recover — retract the leg and return to fighting stance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Kukkiwon Textbook (2006) [2] Kukkiwon Textbook (2006)
2BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969) [2] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Kukkiwon Textbook (2006) [2] Kukkiwon Textbook (2006)
6CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969) [2] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
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
Spinning Back Kick
GenusThe Spinning Back Kick is a powerful spinning technique where the fighter rotates 180 degrees and delivers a linear back kick with the heel, combining the rotational momentum of the spin with the thrusting power of the back kick. [1] The spinning back kick generates enormous force due to the full-body rotation preceding the linear thrust, and it targets the midsection, solar plexus, or face with the hardest part of the foot. [1,2] This technique requires precise distance management and timing, as the rotation creates a brief blind spot before the kicker acquires the target visually. [2,3]
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Spinning Hook Kick
GenusThe Spinning Hook Kick is a rotational kick where the fighter spins 180 degrees or more and delivers a hooking kick to the opponent's head, striking with the heel as the leg retracts through a curved arc. [1] The spinning hook kick combines the deceptive hooking trajectory with the power of a full-body spin, creating a technique that is extremely difficult to defend because the angle and timing of impact are nearly impossible to predict. [1,2] This technique primarily targets the jaw or temple and has produced numerous highlight-reel knockouts across combat sports. [2,3]
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Tornado Kick
GenusThe Tornado Kick is a dramatic spinning kick where the fighter uses a full 360-degree rotation with a jumping component, chambering the non-kicking leg in a sweeping motion to build rotational momentum before delivering a roundhouse kick at the apex of the spin. [1] The tornado kick combines the elements of a spin, jump, and roundhouse kick into a single explosive technique that generates exceptional power through angular momentum. [1,2] Due to its complexity and the time required to complete the full rotation, the tornado kick is considered a high-risk, high-reward technique primarily seen in taekwondo competition and MMA highlight finishes. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct foot position and angle when executing a spinning-turning kick?
Your stationary foot should point about 45 degrees outward, and at the moment of impact your foot should be positioned so the kick travels perpendicular to the target—not at an angle. Donato Nardizzi emphasizes that your shoulders should be parallel to your opponent's when you complete the technique.
Where should I aim when throwing a turning kick, and how do I position myself?
Ideally, aim for a side-front target position, which means you should face slightly behind your opponent so the target ends up on your side-front. This positioning exposes the target area and allows you to generate proper hip rotation into the kick.
How do I break down the spinning-turning kick into parts to learn it better?
Think of the kick in two phases: first, rotate and pivot your body while chambering the leg, then extend the leg at the end. The kick moves in an arc, and incorporating forward motion will add power to your technique.
Can I use a turning kick to hit a target directly in front of me?
A traditional turning kick isn't ideal for front targets, but you can use a side turning kick with the instep instead, which is why it's popular in competition and allows you to hit from a greater distance.
How does the Spinning-Turning Kick work?
The Spinning/Turning Kick subfamily covers roundhouse kick variations that incorporate a full rotational turn of the body (180-360 degrees) before delivering the kick, adding centripetal force and angular momentum to the strike. Spinning kicks are among the most powerful techniques in a fighter's arsenal, as the full-body rotation multiplies the force available at the moment of impact, but they also carry significant risk because the rotation turns the kicker's back to the opponent mid-execution.
Where does the Spinning-Turning Kick come from?
Spinning kick techniques have deep roots in Korean and Chinese martial arts, with taekwondo developing an extensive repertoire of spinning and turning kicks as signature techniques of the art. The spinning back kick and spinning hook kick became competition staples in taekwondo and full-contact karate in the 1970s and 1980s.
Is the Spinning-Turning 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 Spinning-Turning Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. High — most common KO kick; generates ~1,000N force to head (Falco et al. 2009)
How do I set up the Spinning-Turning Kick?
The standard setup chain: Stance and Range → Chamber the Leg → Execute the Kick → Recover.
How do I defend against the Spinning-Turning 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 Spinning-Turning 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 Spinning-Turning Kick in competition?
Spinning kicks have produced spectacular knockouts in MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Spinning-Turning Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Spinning without spotting the target, which makes you dizzy and inaccurate / Initiating the spin with the shoulders instead of the hips, which is slower and telegraphs the rotation / Spinning too slowly, giving the opponent time to step in and counter while your back is turned / Throwing spinning kicks when fatigued — they require coordination and balance that deteriorate rapidly with exhaustion.
What are other names for the Spinning-Turning Kick?
The Spinning-Turning Kick is also known as Kaiten-geri, Spinning Kick, Rotational Kick.