legkick

Legkick, often written as leg kick, is a term used to describe a kicking action performed with the leg. It is employed across several sports and movement disciplines and may refer to different techniques depending on the context.

In martial arts and combat sports, a leg kick is a strike aimed at an opponent's leg, typically the thigh or shin. Low kicks target the thigh to slow movement, while higher kicks can attack the calf or knee to disrupt balance or posture. Leg kicks rely on hip rotation, torque transfer through the torso, and conditioned leg musculature. Defenses include checking with the leg, stepping off line, or catching and countering.

In swimming and aquatic training, leg kick describes the propulsion generated by the legs during different strokes. The flutter kick powers freestyle and backstroke, the dolphin kick is used in butterfly and in certain phases of the backstroke, and the frog kick propels the body in breaststroke. Effective kicking emphasizes ankle flexibility, pointed toes, and efficient timing with arm movements.

In performance analysis and coaching, leg kicks are evaluated for force, efficiency, and injury risk. Repetitive kicking can stress the knee, hip, and lower back, so programs include warm-ups, strength work for the hip abductors and glutes, and technique refinement to reduce strain.