seljatugi

Seljatugi is a term used in Finnish martial arts to denote a back kick technique. The move is performed by pivoting on the balance leg, rotating the hips and shoulders to face away from the target, and driving the rear leg straight backward to strike with the heel (and in some schools, with the sole). It is used to hit an opponent who is behind or to the rear, and can serve to create space, deter a rear attack, or end a sequence with a decisive strike. Proper execution emphasizes hip rotation, core stability, and a compact chamber before extension, along with timely retraction to regain balance.

Technique variations commonly described in Finnish manuals include a straight back kick (rear thrust kick) and a spinning back kick, with practices differing by martial art and instructor. In sport contexts, the legality, scoring, and targeting rules of back kicks depend on the discipline and competition ruleset; some forms award points for clean contact to the torso or head, while others prioritize control and safety.

Context and usage: the term appears in Finnish-language instructional materials, training videos, and self-defense curricula. As with many martial arts terms, local schools may differ in naming and interpretation, and practitioners often adopt terminology from other languages depending on their discipline.

See also: back kick, taekwondo, karate, kickboxing, martial arts terminology.