Kicking

Kick refers to the act of striking a target with the foot or leg, typically involving the leg’s rotation from the hip and a coordinated extension of the knee and ankle. Kicking transfers momentum from the body through the leg to the target and can be used to strike an object, defend, or propel something such as a ball.

In sport and martial arts, kicking appears in several forms. In soccer (football), kicking is the primary means of moving the ball and attempting goals, with techniques ranging from powerful insteps to curved kicks. In martial arts and combat sports, kicks function as attacks, defenses, and control techniques. Common examples include the front kick, roundhouse kick, side kick, and back kick, with other styles employing crescent, axe, or spinning kicks depending on tradition and training.

Mechanics: A kick is typically initiated by lifting the leg through hip flexion, swinging it toward the target with hip rotation, extending the knee near contact, and aligning the ankle and foot to maximize impact. The supporting leg and core stabilize the body to deliver power and accuracy. The exact contact surface varies by technique; some kicks strike with the ball of the foot, others with the instep or shin.

Safety and training: Kicking places stress on the hamstrings, groin, knees, and ankles. Proper warm-ups, progressive technique development, coaching, and protective measures reduce injury risk, especially in martial arts. Surface, footwear, and partner control also influence safety.

History and usage: Kicking appears across cultures and athletic disciplines, dating to ancient martial traditions and evolving into modern sports techniques for scoring, defense, and demonstration.