TAEKWONDO KICKS FOR BEGINNERS | 3 Easy Kicks ANYONE Can Do
0
Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick·BVO MASTER CHONG
Hey, If you’ve been training Taekwondo for a few months or years, I’ve got something you’ll love. Click the link here …
Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick
SubFamilyハンド・オン・ザ・フロア・サイド・キック(Hando on za Furoa Saido Kikku)
Translation: Hand-on-the-floor side kick
Overview
The Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick is delivered with one hand touching the ground for support, maximising reach and enabling kicks from unusually low or extended positions. [1] By using the hand as an additional support point, the practitioner can extend the kicking range significantly while maintaining balance. [1] This technique appears in various martial arts including capoeira and certain karate styles that incorporate ground-level transitions. [1]
Ground-Supported Side Kick
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick offers tactical advantages in specific situations where a standard side kick would be less effective. [1]
Lineage
Cross-style martial arts kicking tradition. [1]
Competition Record
An acrobatic kick variation primarily seen in demonstrations and point-fighting tournaments. Not practical in full-contact competition due to the ground recovery time required. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Side kick mechanics with specific modification for hand-on-the-floor side kick variant
Joints Involved — Hip (abduction + flexion), knee (extension), ankle (lateral alignment)
Force Vector — Lateral thrust modified by the specific variant mechanics
Leverage Principle — Hip rotation and leg extension create a lateral piston-like force
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Chamber and execute the hand-on-the-floor side kick
From close range — Adapted shorter version for tight distances
Variants
High hand-on-the-floor side kick — targeting head level
Mid hand-on-the-floor side kick — targeting body
Low hand-on-the-floor side kick — targeting legs
Videos
Taekwondo Basic Kicks
0
Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick·Taekwondo Guide
New to Taekwondo? Check out these three Taekwondo beginner kicks. See my other videos for more in-depth breakdowns of …
HOW TO DO A SIDE KICK | TECHNIQUE TUESDAY
0
Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick·Mark Anastacio
➢ Join the gym: www.unionmartialarts.ca ➢ Subscribe to Mark's Channel: http://bit.ly/2g5EyrD ➢ Instagram: http://bit.ly/…
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The hand-on-the-floor side kick, referred to as the side thrust kick or yup chagi, is a foundational striking technique in Taekwondo emphasizing power, precision, and balance. Mark Anastacio describes the technique as requiring a straddle or horse stance with 50/50 weight distribution, establishing a solid base before execution. The core mechanics involve lifting the knee tightly to the chest while maintaining a straight chamber (not circular like a roundhouse), then extending explosively through the target using the heel or blade of the foot. BVO Master Chong emphasizes the critical importance of the 180-degree pivot of the supporting leg during extension and recommends a diagonal knee chamber toward the opposite shoulder to maintain balance and generate power. Both instructors stress the "piercing" or "thrusting" motion—driving through the target rather than pushing it—and highlight that the supporting leg must twist out during extension to transfer body weight forward effectively. Taekwondo Guide notes the side kick's utility in sparring when thrown from the front leg with minimal rotation, contrasting it with the more powerful rear-leg version. Common execution errors identified across instructors include inadequate pivoting, toes positioned higher than heels, and over-rotation of the upper body. Weight distribution toward the kicking leg rather than the supporting leg prevents backward balance loss during high extensions.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Taekwondo Guide — Taekwondo Basic Kicks: Explains side kick mechanics with rear-leg execution, emphasizing heel strike and 180-degree pivot of base foot. Contrasts rear-leg power with front-leg speed advantage in sparring contexts.
- Mark Anastacio — HOW TO DO A SIDE KICK | TECHNIQUE TUESDAY: Provides detailed step-by-step instruction on straddle stance, knee chamber to chest, and the critical supporting-leg twist during extension. Introduces the gather step for distance management and emphasizes piercing versus pushing mechanics through heavy bag application.
- BVO MASTER CHONG — TAEKWONDO KICKS FOR BEGINNERS | 3 Easy Kicks ANYONE Can Do: Stresses 180-degree pivot execution, diagonal knee chamber, and heel/blade striking surface. Provides corrective cues for common balance issues, including weight distribution toward the kicking leg and hip extension (interior tilt) for power generation.
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
Side kick variants deliver significant lateral force to the target
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
✓Master the standard side kick before attempting the hand-on-the-floor side kick (De Bremaeker & Faige, 2010)
✓Practise balance drills specific to this variant
✓Use pad work to develop power and accuracy
Common Mistakes
!Attempting the hand-on-the-floor side kick without sufficient side kick foundation
!Poor balance during execution
!Insufficient hip rotation
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Feint or jab → Chamber → Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick to target → Follow-up technique
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 good lateral hip flexibility
Strong core for balance
Key muscles
gluteus medius, hip abductors, quadriceps
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 2.10. A capoeira-influenced side kick where one hand touches the floor for balance — allowing an extremely low body position while kicking at mid or high level. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a side kick and a side thrust kick?
A side thrust kick goes straight forward with a piercing motion, whereas a roundhouse comes around. Mark Anastacio emphasizes that you bring your knee to your chest and shoot it straight out, rather than letting your leg come around like a roundhouse.
What part of my foot should I strike with on a side kick?
You should hit with the blade of your foot—your heel—not the flat of your foot. Point your toes down, flex your heel, and drive straight through the target for a powerful, piercing motion.
How do I generate more power in my side kick?
Imagine your kick goes through the target, not stopping at it. Mark Anastacio stresses putting all your body weight into the kick so the bag thumps and bends inward; if the bag just gets pushed, you're losing power and creating only distance without real impact.
What stance should I use for a side kick?
Use a straddle stance to establish your center of gravity, which differs from the forward stance used in roundhouse kicks. First establish your balance and base before executing the kick.
How does the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick work?
The Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick is delivered with one hand touching the ground for support, maximising reach and enabling kicks from unusually low or extended positions. By using the hand as an additional support point, the practitioner can extend the kicking range significantly while maintaining balance.
Where does the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick come from?
The Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick is a specialised variant of the side kick documented in cross-style kicking methodology. Side kick variations have been developed across karate, taekwondo, and kung fu traditions.
Is the Hand-on-the-Floor 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 Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. Side kick variants deliver significant lateral force to the target
How do I set up the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick?
The standard setup chain: Feint or jab → Chamber → Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick to target → Follow-up technique.
How do I defend against the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick?
Standard counters include: Step inside the kick range / Catch and sweep / Counter with low roundhouse.
What are the variants of the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick?
Common variants: High hand-on-the-floor side kick (targeting head level); Mid hand-on-the-floor side kick (targeting body); Low hand-on-the-floor side kick (targeting legs).
How effective is the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick in competition?
An acrobatic kick variation primarily seen in demonstrations and point-fighting tournaments. Not practical in full-contact competition due to the ground recovery time required.
What are common mistakes when doing the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting the hand-on-the-floor side kick without sufficient side kick foundation / Poor balance during execution / Insufficient hip rotation.
What are other names for the Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick?
The Hand-on-the-Floor Side Kick is also known as Hando on za Furoa Saido Kikku, Ground-Supported Side Kick.