Reverse Knife-Hand Front Strike (Sonkal Dung Ap Taerigi) - Taekwon-Do Lesson #66
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Reverse Front Strike·Donato Nardizzi
This video shows you how to perform a Reverse Knife-Hand Front Strike (Sonkal Dung Ap Taerigi). I describe the tool used…
Reverse Front Strike
SubFamily逆前打ち(Gyaku Mae Uchi)
descriptiveTranslation: reverse front strike
Overview
The Reverse Front Strike (Bandae Ap Taerigi) is a Taekwon-Do striking technique where the rear hand delivers a strike to the front of the opponent, using the rotation of the hips and shoulders to generate power from the rear side. [1] Unlike a basic jab or cross, this technique specifically involves a coordinated body rotation from the rear stance position, driving the strike through the target with full body mechanics. [1] It is classified separately from punches (jirugi) in the TKD taxonomy as a striking (taerigi) technique due to the different hand formation and trajectory used. [1]
Bandae Ap TaerigiKRReverse Front StrikingReverse Punch Strike
History & Origin
Effectiveness
A versatile striking technique that delivers rear-hand power to a frontal target. [1] The hip rotation generates significantly more force than a jab or front-hand strike. Commonly used as a setup or finishing technique in TKD combinations.
Lineage
Taekwondo lineage: Japanese Shotokan karate (via Korean students during Japanese occupation 1910–1945) → Korean kwans (Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Song Muk Kwan, etc.) → unified under General Choi Hong Hi as Taekwon-Do (ITF, 1966) and separately as World Taekwondo (WT/Kukkiwon, 1973). [1]
Competition Record
TKD hand techniques score in both WT and ITF competition, though kicks receive higher point values in WT. In ITF semi-contact, punches are scored equally with kicks to the same target. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Rear hand strike driven forward by hip rotation from back stance
Joints Involved — Hip rotation, shoulder rotation, elbow extension, wrist alignment
Force Vector — Forward and straight — full body rotation behind the strike
Striking Surface — Fore-fist, back-fist, or knife-hand depending on variation
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Rotate hips from rear position, drive rear hand strike forward to the front of the opponent
In combination — Jab → reverse front strike (using the hip rotation from the jab's retraction)
Variants
With fore-fist — standard punching surface
With back-fist — striking with the knuckles of the back of the hand
With knife-hand — open hand strike to the neck or temple
Low reverse front strike — targeting the solar plexus
Videos
Technique Video: Reverse Cambiata Deflection | Filipino Martial Arts
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Reverse Front Strike·Impact Martial Arts Academy
In this video, we show the reverse cambiata and a few follow up ideas to train. Train with us in Virginia Beach at Impa…
Reverse Strike Training - Part 1
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Reverse Front Strike·SAMI Combat Systems
SAMI Combat Systems (SAMICS) – Martial Arts, Selfdefense and Sports Training! Dates and locations can be found on https…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The reverse front strike is a versatile striking technique employed across multiple martial arts systems, with instructors presenting distinct but complementary approaches. Donato Nardizzi teaches the reverse knife-hand front strike in Taekwon-Do, emphasizing hand formation with the thumb tucked away and targeting areas such as the temple, jaw, or neck. He stresses the importance of upper body rotation, shoulder drive, and a slight elbow bend before impact to avoid joint injury, noting that reverse execution is more stable than obverse. SAMI Combat Systems presents reverse strikes as returning movements after initial attacks—following uppercuts or hooks with hammer fists or palm strikes—and draws direct parallels to knife-fighting applications, demonstrating how the same mechanics apply across empty-hand and armed contexts. Impact Martial Arts Academy approaches the reverse technique through Filipino martial arts, specifically the reverse kambiata, treating it as a deflection-based entry combining stick work with empty-hand checking and body positioning to establish control before progressing to elbow strikes, punio (fist), or lateral footwork variations depending on distance and power requirements. All three instructors agree on foundational principles: rotational power generation, controlled entry, and strategic hand positioning. They differ primarily in range emphasis—Nardizzi focuses on long-range striking mechanics, SAMI on mid-range boxing combinations, and Impact on close-quarters grappling transitions.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Donato Nardizzi — Reverse Knife-Hand Front Strike (Sonkal Dung Ap Taerigi) - Taekwon-Do Lesson #66: Detailed biomechanics of reverse knife-hand striking in Taekwon-Do: hand formation, upper body rotation, shoulder drive, elbow flexion before impact, and targeting zones (temple, jaw, neck); notes reverse execution superior to obverse for stability; applicable in walking, close, parallel, and X stances.
- SAMI Combat Systems — Reverse Strike Training - Part 1: Demonstrates reverse strikes as return techniques following uppercuts and hooks, using hammer fists and palm strikes; establishes direct parallels between empty-hand and knife-fighting applications; provides drilling methods with pad work and combination sequencing; highlights manipulation and balance disruption applications.
- Impact Martial Arts Academy — Technique Video: Reverse Cambiata Deflection | Filipino Martial Arts: Teaches reverse kambiata as a deflection-based entry using roof blocks and hand checking to establish control; offers three follow-up variations based on stepping depth (elbow, punio, lateral) for different ranges; addresses common grappling responses to committed entry.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Standard hand strike with good body mechanics.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
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 RulesPDFIFMA Muay Thai— all strikes permitted
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The power comes from hip rotation, not arm extension alone
✓Rotate the rear hip fully forward as the strike lands
✓Keep the non-striking hand in guard position throughout
✓The strike should land at full arm extension — not at the pull-back point
✓Breathe out sharply at the moment of impact for additional power
Common Mistakes
!Not rotating the hips — arm-only strikes lack power
!Over-rotating past the target — wastes energy and exposes the back
!Dropping the guard hand during the strike
!Not retracting the striking hand quickly — leaves it exposed
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Jab to occupy guard → reverse front strike to the face
2Low kick → opponent drops guard → reverse front strike high
3Feint low → reverse front strike to the jaw
Sources & References
Primary Source
Choi, H.H. (1999). Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. International Taekwon-Do Federation.
1BookChoi, H.H. (1999). Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. International Taekwon-Do Federation.
[1] Choi, Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (1999), Striking Techniques chapter
2CitationChoi, H.H. (1999). Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do. International Taekwon-Do Federation.
[1] Choi, Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do (1999), Striking Techniques chapter
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip rotation mechanics, shoulder mobility
Key muscles
hip rotators, core obliques, shoulder, triceps
Notes
The Reverse Front Strike (Bandae Ap Taerigi) is an ITF Taekwondo striking technique classified separately from punches (jirugi). General Choi's Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do classifies it as a taerigi (striking) technique due to different hand formation and trajectory than standard punches. (Choi, Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do)
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use the reverse strike in combination with other techniques?
According to SAMI Combat Systems, the reverse strike is useful when you miss your initial target or as a way to return with the same arm, and it works effectively in combination with techniques like uppercuts and hammer strikes in both empty-hand and knife fighting applications.
How do I adjust my footwork for different types of reverse strike entries?
Impact Martial Arts Academy teaches three distinct footwork approaches: a deep forward step at 45 degrees for elbow strikes, a half-step for punio strikes to maintain a better power arc, and a lateral step to achieve the full power arc of your foot.
How does the Reverse Front Strike work?
The Reverse Front Strike (Bandae Ap Taerigi) is a Taekwon-Do striking technique where the rear hand delivers a strike to the front of the opponent, using the rotation of the hips and shoulders to generate power from the rear side. Unlike a basic jab or cross, this technique specifically involves a coordinated body rotation from the rear stance position, driving the strike through the target with full body mechanics.
Where does the Reverse Front Strike come from?
The Reverse Front Strike (Bandae Ap Taerigi) is a fundamental TKD striking technique classified separately from punches (jirugi) due to its different hand formation and trajectory. It is part of the taerigi (striking) family in the TKD technical curriculum.
Is the Reverse Front Strike 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; IFMA Muay Thai: Legal: legal — all strikes permitted
How dangerous is the Reverse Front Strike?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — standard hand strike with good body mechanics.
How do I set up the Reverse Front Strike?
The standard setup chain: Jab to occupy guard → reverse front strike to the face → Low kick → opponent drops guard → reverse front strike high → Feint low → reverse front strike to the jaw.
How do I defend against the Reverse Front Strike?
Standard counters include: Parry and counter — deflect the strike and fire back / Slip to the outside — evade and counter-punch / Low kick as the hips rotate — exploit the weight transfer.
What are the variants of the Reverse Front Strike?
Common variants: With fore-fist (standard punching surface); With back-fist (striking with the knuckles of the back of the hand); With knife-hand (open hand strike to the neck or temple); Low reverse front strike (targeting the solar plexus).
How effective is the Reverse Front Strike in competition?
TKD hand techniques score in both WT and ITF competition, though kicks receive higher point values in WT. In ITF semi-contact, punches are scored equally with kicks to the same target.
What are common mistakes when doing the Reverse Front Strike?
Top errors to watch for: Not rotating the hips — arm-only strikes lack power / Over-rotating past the target — wastes energy and exposes the back / Dropping the guard hand during the strike / Not retracting the striking hand quickly — leaves it exposed.
What are other names for the Reverse Front Strike?
The Reverse Front Strike is also known as Gyaku Mae Uchi, Bandae Ap Taerigi, Reverse Front Striking, Reverse Punch Strike.