Axe Kick V.S Side Kick With Sensei Seth
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Bent-Body Side Kick·RG MARTIAL ARTS
I am very excited to share this collab between @SenseiSeth and @RGMARTIALARTS. In this video you will learn more about …
Bent-Body Side Kick
SubFamilyベント・ボディ・サイド・キック(Bento Bodi Saido Kikku)
TransliterationTranslation: Bent-body side kick — a side kick with exaggerated lateral body lean away from the target, trading balance for significantly extended reach
Overview
The Bent-Body Side Kick uses an exaggerated lateral body lean away from the target, bending at the waist toward the ground on the non-kicking side, to extend the effective reach of the side kick by approximately 12-18 inches beyond the standard version. [1] In a standard side kick (yoko geri kekomi), the torso remains relatively upright, and the kicking range is determined by the length of the leg plus the hip's lateral displacement. [1] The Bent-Body variant dramatically increases this range by tilting the entire torso away from the kick — as the body leans toward the floor on the non-kicking side, the kicking hip rises correspondingly, allowing the foot to travel further toward the target. [1] The trade-off is explicit: the extreme lean sacrifices balance (the centre of gravity shifts far from the base of support) in exchange for reach that can surprise opponents who believe they are standing safely beyond kicking distance. [1] De Bremaeker and Faige document the Bent-Body Side Kick as particularly useful against taller opponents or when the opponent is retreating and has created more distance than a standard side kick can cover. [1] The technique appears in competition karate, taekwondo, and kickboxing, where fighters use the extended reach to score points or deliver damage from ranges that the opponent considers safe. [1] Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace, the undefeated middleweight kickboxing champion famous for his side kick, frequently used the bent-body lean to extend his already formidable side kick range — opponents who thought they were out of range were caught by the extra 12-18 inches the lean provided. [2] The critical skill is knowing when the extra reach is worth the balance sacrifice: the Bent-Body Side Kick should be used as a single explosive action, not as a sustained position, because the extreme lean leaves the kicker unable to follow up, block, or evade until they recover their upright posture. [1]
Leaning Side KickExtended Reach Side KickCounter-Balance Side KickLong Range Side KickTilting Side Kick
History & Origin
The Bent-Body Side Kick developed organically in competitive karate and kickboxing as fighters sought to extend their kicking range beyond the standard side kick's reach. [1] Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace (1945-present), the undefeated Professional Karate Association (PKA) middleweight champion who defended his title an unprecedented 23 times, was the most famous practitioner of the extended-range side kick. [2] Wallace, who fought exclusively from a left (southpaw) stance due to a right knee injury, relied primarily on three kicks from his left leg: the side kick, hook kick, and roundhouse kick — all delivered with the extended-lean technique that maximised range from his single-leg attacking platform. [2] His ability to reach opponents from distances they considered safe earned him the 'Superfoot' nickname and made the Bent-Body Side Kick famous worldwide. [2] De Bremaeker and Faige included the technique in their 2010 cross-style compilation, noting its appearance across karate, taekwondo, and kickboxing competition. [1]
Effectiveness
The Bent-Body Side Kick's effectiveness is situational: it excels against retreating opponents and at maximum range, where the standard side kick falls short. [1] Bill Wallace's undefeated career (23 title defences) using the extended-range side kick as a primary weapon demonstrates the technique's viability at the highest levels of competition. [2] The extra 12-18 inches of range transforms the side kick from a close-to-mid-range weapon into a genuine long-range threat, fundamentally changing the distance at which the opponent must begin defending. [1] The balance sacrifice is a calculated risk: when used as a single decisive technique against a retreating or stationary opponent, the risk is acceptable; when used recklessly against an advancing opponent, the balance sacrifice is exploitable. [1]
Lineage
Competition Record
Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace: PKA middleweight champion, 23 consecutive title defences (undefeated), primarily using the extended-range side kick. The Bent-Body Side Kick is commonly used in WKF karate and WT taekwondo competition for long-range scoring. The technique's ability to score from beyond the opponent's expected kicking range produces a disproportionate number of scoring techniques in point competition.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Standard side kick mechanics (hip abduction, knee extension, heel/blade-foot thrust) combined with exaggerated lateral trunk flexion AWAY from the kick — the body bends toward the floor on the non-kicking side while the kicking leg extends toward the target
Joints Involved — Standard side kick joints (kicking hip abduction, knee extension, ankle positioning) PLUS: lumbar spine (lateral flexion away from the kick), thoracic spine (lateral flexion), non-kicking hip (abduction to bring the torso lower), non-kicking arm (often touches the ground for momentary support)
Force Vector — Lateral, same as a standard side kick, but the kick reaches approximately 12-18 inches further due to the geometric effect of the body lean: the hip rises as the torso drops, adding the torso-drop distance to the leg-extension distance
Leverage Principle — The body lean acts as a counterbalance: as the torso drops on one side, the kicking leg rises on the other, creating a seesaw effect that extends total reach. The physics are identical to a counterweight on a crane — dropping mass on one side allows the other side to extend further. However, this counterbalance is unstable: the centre of gravity moves far from the base of support (the standing foot), meaning any disruption (the kick being caught, the standing foot slipping) results in a fall.
Position & Entry
From fighting stance against a retreating opponent — As the opponent steps back to create distance, lean the body laterally while executing the side kick — the lean adds the reach needed to catch the retreating target
As a counter-attack at maximum range — When the opponent attacks and steps back out of range of your counter, the Bent-Body Side Kick bridges the gap they created
Against a taller opponent — The extra reach compensates for the height and arm-length advantage a taller opponent naturally has
From a spinning entry — After a spin (180°), the body's rotational momentum naturally creates a lean that can be converted into the Bent-Body extension
As a single decisive technique — The Bent-Body Side Kick is most effective as a one-shot technique: lean, kick, recover. Do not attempt to chain it with combinations, as the recovery time is longer than a standard side kick.
Variants
Slight lean (15-20°) — moderate range extension with good balance retention
Deep lean (30-45°) — maximum range extension with significant balance sacrifice
Hand-on-floor Bent-Body — touching the non-kicking hand to the floor for momentary support during the deepest lean (see Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick, a separate technique)
Bent-Body to head — using the lean to elevate the kicking leg high enough to target the head from long range
Bent-Body to body — the standard version targeting the midsection (solar plexus, ribs)
Bent-Body low line — targeting the knee or thigh with the extended range
Videos
Wing Chun energy drill basic training - Lesson 25 Block - Side Kick
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Bent-Body Side Kick·Master Wong
The wing chun training series is a follow up from the wing chun basic lessons level 1 or stage 1. These lessons concentr…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The bent-body side kick is a powerful striking technique that leverages the body's kinetic chain to deliver force at distance. RG Martial Arts emphasizes the mechanics of chamber and extension: the practitioner points the foot away from the target, aligns the knee toward the opposite shoulder, and drives through the heel or blade of the foot to create a straight line from eyes through shoulder, hip, knee, and foot. The instructor stresses avoiding impact with the balls of the feet or toes, which dissipate force, instead recommending either the heel (analogous to a palm strike) or the bladed edge (analogous to a knife-hand chop) for proper force penetration. RG Martial Arts advocates a setup using an overhand hand movement to elevate the opponent's guards before stepping and driving the kick. Master Wong's Wing Chun approach contextualizes side-kick defense within partner drill work, focusing on blocking the incoming kick's shin and calf with the back of the hand to control distance and develop reactive timing. While RG Martial Arts addresses offensive execution and setup tactics, Master Wong emphasizes defensive application and footwork coordination within a combative exchange, demonstrating complementary aspects of side-kick utility in fighting scenarios.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- RG MARTIAL ARTS — Axe Kick V.S Side Kick With Sensei Seth: Detailed technical mechanics of the side kick including chamber position, foot alignment (heel vs. blade), extension principles, and practical setup using hand feints to create openings for the kick
- Master Wong — Wing Chun energy drill basic training - Lesson 25 Block - Side Kick: Defensive application of side-kick blocking using hand contact on the shin and calf, partner drill methodology emphasizing distance control, footwork timing, and reactive body positioning
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
The side kick is one of the most powerful kicks in martial arts (it drives the entire body weight through the heel in a linear thrust), and the Bent-Body variant does not sacrifice power — only balance. A Bent-Body Side Kick to the solar plexus, ribs, or hip joint delivers full side-kick force at an unexpected range, making it a genuine fight-ending weapon. Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace produced numerous knockouts and stoppages using the extended-range side kick. [1,2]
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
✓Begin by practising the standard side kick at maximum range WITHOUT the lean — your standard range is the baseline. Then add progressively more lean, measuring how much additional range each degree of lean provides (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010). [1] The lean must happen DURING the kick, not before — leaning before the kick telegraphs the extended range. Chamber and initiate the side kick normally, then add the lean during the extension phase. [1] Balance recovery is as important as the kick itself: after the Bent-Body kick lands (or misses), the kicker must immediately pull the torso back to upright and retract the kicking leg. Practise the full cycle: kick-lean-retract-recover as one smooth sequence. [1] On the heavy bag: mark your standard side kick range on the floor. Then practise the Bent-Body variant from 12-18 inches BEYOND that mark — the lean should allow you to reach the bag from this greater distance. [1] Do NOT use the Bent-Body Side Kick when the opponent is advancing — the balance sacrifice is too dangerous against a closing opponent. Use it ONLY against retreating or stationary targets. [1] Core strength is essential: the lateral trunk flexion and recovery require strong obliques. Add side plank holds and lateral crunches to conditioning. [1] Film yourself from the front: the lean should create a nearly straight line from the standing foot through the body to the kicking foot — if the body 'breaks' at the waist (collapses rather than leans), the kick loses its linear thrust. [2]
Common Mistakes
!Leaning before kicking — the lean must happen during the kick's extension, not before. Pre-leaning telegraphs the extra range and allows the opponent to adjust.
!Leaning too deeply — excessive lean (beyond 45°) creates a nearly horizontal body position from which recovery is extremely slow. The lean should be the MINIMUM needed to reach the target.
!Losing the side kick's linear thrust — the lean can cause the kick to arc rather than thrust if the hip alignment is lost. The kick must still travel in a straight line; the lean adds RANGE to the line, not curvature.
!Not recovering immediately — staying in the leaned position after the kick leaves the kicker vulnerable to counters, catches, and sweeps. Recovery must be instant.
!Using it against an advancing opponent — the Bent-Body Side Kick sacrifices balance; a forward-moving opponent can jam the kick and exploit the compromised balance
!No guard with the hands — during the deep lean, the hands naturally drop away from the face. At minimum, the lead hand should maintain chin protection during the lean.
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Advance into the kick — closing distance jams the side kick before the lean can develop its rangeCatch the foot — the Bent-Body kick is slower to retract than a standard side kick because the body must recover from the lean first; this extended retraction time creates a catching windowLow sweep — the standing leg during the deep lean is bearing the full body weight at an unstable angle; a sweep to the standing foot causes an immediate fallAngle off to the outside — stepping past the kick on the outside takes the target out of range while positioning for a counterCounter-attack during recovery — the recovery from the lean takes 0.3-0.5 seconds, during which the kicker cannot effectively defend; a fast counter during this window is the primary tactical responseDon't retreat — the Bent-Body Side Kick only works against retreating or stationary targets; continuous forward pressure prevents the kicker from finding the range for the extended kick
Setup Chain
1Establish standard side kicks at normal range (conditioning the opponent to their expected range) → Opponent begins retreating to their perceived 'safe' distance beyond your normal kick range → They feel safe at this distance and lower their defensive urgency → Fire the Bent-Body Side Kick with the lean adding 12-18 inches of range → The kick reaches the opponent at a distance they considered safe → Heel impacts the solar plexus, ribs, or hip → Immediately recover upright posture → Follow up with advancing techniques or reset to fighting distance
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. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4. Section 2.5 'The Bent-body Side Kick'. [2] Wallace, B. and Faige, R. (1982). Dynamic Kicking and Stretching. Unique Publications. Superfoot side kick methodology.pp. De Bremaeker pp.71-72 (Section 2.5)
description: [1] De Bremaeker 2010 pp.71-72, [2] Wallace 1982
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3Citation[1] De Bremaeker, M. and Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-0558-4. Section 2.5 'The Bent-body Side Kick'. [2] Wallace, B. and Faige, R. (1982). Dynamic Kicking and Stretching. Unique Publications. Superfoot side kick methodology.pp. De Bremaeker pp.71-72 (Section 2.5)
description: [1] De Bremaeker 2010 pp.71-72, [2] Wallace 1982
Community
Athletics
Requires strong oblique muscles (lateral trunk flexors) for controlled lean and recovery
Good balance on the standing leg during the lean
Standard side kick flexibility (hip abduction, hamstring flexibility)
Core strength for maintaining the kick's linear thrust during the lean
Tall practitioners with long legs gain the most absolute range extension, but the proportional benefit is the same for all body types
Frequently Asked Questions
What part of my foot should I use to strike with a bent-body side kick?
You should use your heel to strike, not the balls of your feet or toes. According to Sensei Seth (RG MARTIAL ARTS), hitting with your toes or ball of the foot creates give in the impact, whereas the heel digs in solidly for maximum effect.
How should I generate power in a bent-body side kick—on the way up or on the way down?
Most of your power should come on the way down, not during the raise. Sensei Seth emphasizes that a common mistake is raising the kick with full power and then letting gravity bring it down slowly; instead, you should raise it and actively drive it down with force to maximize impact.
What alignment should I maintain during a bent-body side kick?
You should maintain a straight line from your eyes through your shoulder, hip, knee, and foot while looking at your target. According to Sensei Seth, this alignment is achieved whether you land with a bladed foot or other foot position.
How can I set up a bent-body side kick in a fight?
Sensei Seth recommends throwing a few push kicks first to make your opponent believe more push kicks are coming, then switching to the bent-body side kick when they're focused on defending against that pattern.
How does the Bent-Body Side Kick work?
The Bent-Body Side Kick uses an exaggerated lateral body lean away from the target, bending at the waist toward the ground on the non-kicking side, to extend the effective reach of the side kick by approximately 12-18 inches beyond the standard version. In a standard side kick (yoko geri kekomi), the torso remains relatively upright, and the kicking range is determined by the length of the leg plus the hip's lateral displacement.
Where does the Bent-Body Side Kick come from?
The Bent-Body Side Kick developed organically in competitive karate and kickboxing as fighters sought to extend their kicking range beyond the standard side kick's reach. Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace (1945-present), the undefeated Professional Karate Association (PKA) middleweight champion who defended his title an unprecedented 23 times, was the most famous practitioner of the extended-range side kick.
Is the Bent-Body Side 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 Bent-Body Side Kick?
Danger rating 7/10. The side kick is one of the most powerful kicks in martial arts (it drives the entire body weight through the heel in a linear thrust), and the Bent-Body variant does not sacrifice power — only balance. A Bent-Body Side Kick to the solar plexus, ribs, or hip joint delivers full side-kick force at an unexpected range, making it a genuine fight-ending weapon. Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace produced numerous knockouts and stoppages using the extended-range side kick.
How do I set up the Bent-Body Side Kick?
The standard setup chain: Establish standard side kicks at normal range (conditioning the opponent to their expected range) → Opponent begins retreating to their perceived 'safe' distance beyond your normal kick range → They feel safe at this distance and lower their defensive urgency → Fire the Bent-Body Side Kick with the lean adding 12-18 inches of range → The kick reaches the opponent at a distance they considered safe → Heel impacts the solar plexus, ribs, or hip → Immediately recover upright posture → Follow up with advancing techniques or reset to fighting distance.
How do I defend against the Bent-Body Side Kick?
Standard counters include: Advance into the kick — closing distance jams the side kick before the lean can develop its range / Catch the foot — the Bent-Body kick is slower to retract than a standard side kick because the body must recover from… / Low sweep — the standing leg during the deep lean is bearing the full body weight at an unstable angle; a sweep to th… / Angle off to the outside — stepping past the kick on the outside takes the target out of range while positioning for ….
What are the variants of the Bent-Body Side Kick?
Common variants: Slight lean (15-20°) (moderate range extension with good balance retention); Deep lean (30-45°) (maximum range extension with significant balance sacrifice); Hand-on-floor Bent-Body (touching the non-kicking hand to the floor for momentary …); Bent-Body to head (using the lean to elevate the kicking leg high enough to …); Bent-Body to body (the standard version targeting the midsection (solar plex…); Bent-Body low line (targeting the knee or thigh with the extended range).
How effective is the Bent-Body Side Kick in competition?
Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace: PKA middleweight champion, 23 consecutive title defences (undefeated), primarily using the extended-range side kick. The Bent-Body Side Kick is commonly used in WKF karate and WT taekwondo competition for long-range scoring.
What are common mistakes when doing the Bent-Body Side Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Leaning before kicking — the lean must happen during the kick's extension, not before. Pre-leaning telegraphs the ext… / Leaning too deeply — excessive lean (beyond 45°) creates a nearly horizontal body position from which recovery is ext… / Losing the side kick's linear thrust — the lean can cause the kick to arc rather than thrust if the hip alignment is … / Not recovering immediately — staying in the leaned position after the kick leaves the kicker vulnerable to counters, ….
What are other names for the Bent-Body Side Kick?
The Bent-Body Side Kick is also known as Bento Bodi Saido Kikku, Leaning Side Kick, Extended Reach Side Kick, Counter-Balance Side Kick, Long Range Side Kick.