Three Easy Setups for the Lead Leg Side Kick
0
Front Leg Side Kick·Força Martial Arts & Fitness
These three easy entries to your lead leg side kick can be used as drills to work your chamber up and down the mat to ge…
Front Leg Side Kick
SubFamily前足横蹴り(Maeashi Yoko Geri)
descriptiveTranslation: front leg side kick
Overview
The Front Leg Side Kick is a side kick delivered with the lead leg by sliding the rear foot forward to close distance before executing the kick. [1] As with the front leg front kick, the rear foot slides forward without upper body movement to avoid telegraphing, then the formerly front leg chambers laterally and extends as a side kick. [1] This technique provides faster delivery than the rear-leg version at the cost of some power, and is effective as a defensive stop-kick or range-management tool. [1]
Lead Leg Side KickSliding Side Kick
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Practiced across karate, Taekwondo, and kickboxing. The sliding lead-leg side kick is documented across multiple kicking traditions. [1]
Competition Record
Frequently used in MMA (UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator), kickboxing (GLORY, K-1), and Muay Thai (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern). One of the most commonly thrown kicks in professional striking competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Side kick from lead leg after sliding rear foot forward
Joints Involved — Ankles (slide), hip abduction (chamber), knee extension (thrust)
Force Vector — Lateral — same as standard side kick but faster
Striking Surface — Heel or blade of foot
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Slide rear foot toward lead foot, chamber and extend former front leg as side kick
As stop-kick — Deliver without sliding when opponent enters range
Variants
As stop-kick — no slide, delivered stationary
With forward slide — closes distance
To the knee — self-defense targeting
Videos
1 video
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
4
Moderate4/10
Primarily a range management tool.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Unified MMA— standard striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWKF Karate— controlled contact required
WKF Kumite Rules 2026PDFWT Taekwondo— kicks are primary scoring technique
WT Competition Rules 2026PDFWAKO Kickboxing— full contact permitted
WAKO Full Contact RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Same slide mechanic as front leg front kick — rear foot slides without upper body movement
✓Side kick chamber requires more hip rotation than front kick version
✓Keep slide low and fast
✓Can be both pushing tool and sharp stop-kick
Common Mistakes
!Upper body leaning during slide — telegraphs
!Not enough hip rotation after slide
!Trying to generate rear-leg power — accept speed trade-off
!Sliding too far — overcommits
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Jab → front leg side kick to maintain distance
2Counter advancing opponent → stop-kick to midsection
3Feint slide → opponent reacts → complete the kick
Sources & References
Primary Source
De Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.
1BookDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 66-68
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 2.3, pp. 66-68
2CitationDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 66-68
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 2.3, pp. 66-68
Community
Athletics
Requires
coordination for slide + hip rotation, balance
Key muscles
hip abductors, quadriceps, calves, core
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I position my hips and shoulders when setting up for a front leg side kick?
Keep your hips tucked under and your shoulders up, looking sideways. Maintain a horse stance without leaning forward, with your thumb across your shoulder and your jab ready.
Where should I step when chambering the front leg side kick?
Step behind your base foot rather than in front of it, as this positioning is more effective for executing the kick.
What should I focus on with my knees during the front leg side kick?
Keep energy stored in your knees rather than coming up with rigid posture, maintaining a lower, more flexible stance that preserves power.
How does the Front Leg Side Kick work?
The Front Leg Side Kick is a side kick delivered with the lead leg by sliding the rear foot forward to close distance before executing the kick. As with the front leg front kick, the rear foot slides forward without upper body movement to avoid telegraphing, then the formerly front leg chambers laterally and extends as a side kick.
Where does the Front Leg Side Kick come from?
Applies the universal front-leg kicking principle to the side kick. Trades power for speed and reduced telegraph.
Is the Front Leg Side Kick legal in competition?
Unified MMA: Legal: legal — standard striking technique; WKF Karate: Legal: legal — controlled contact required; WT Taekwondo: Legal: legal — kicks are primary scoring technique; WAKO Kickboxing: Legal: legal — full contact permitted
How dangerous is the Front Leg Side Kick?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — primarily a range management tool.
How do I set up the Front Leg Side Kick?
The standard setup chain: Jab → front leg side kick to maintain distance → Counter advancing opponent → stop-kick to midsection → Feint slide → opponent reacts → complete the kick.
How do I defend against the Front Leg Side Kick?
Standard counters include: Angle off / Close distance before slide completes / Low kick to standing leg.
What are the variants of the Front Leg Side Kick?
Common variants: As stop-kick (no slide, delivered stationary); With forward slide (closes distance); To the knee (self-defense targeting).
How effective is the Front Leg Side Kick in competition?
Frequently used in MMA (UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator), kickboxing (GLORY, K-1), and Muay Thai (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern). One of the most commonly thrown kicks in professional striking competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Front Leg Side Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Upper body leaning during slide — telegraphs / Not enough hip rotation after slide / Trying to generate rear-leg power — accept speed trade-off / Sliding too far — overcommits.
What are other names for the Front Leg Side Kick?
The Front Leg Side Kick is also known as Maeashi Yoko Geri, Lead Leg Side Kick, Sliding Side Kick.