Axe Kick – Martial Arts Technique

This page provides details on the martial arts axe kick. This kick can be used during sparringbreaking techniquesself-defense, etc. An axe kick is often used by martial artists to target an opponent’s head, clavicle, etc. This kicking technique is used in many martial arts such as KarateTaekwondo, etc. For information on other martial arts kicks (i.e. spinning hook kick), please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Martial Arts Kicking Techniques section.

Martial arts kicks and all other martial arts techniques should only be practiced under the supervision of a trained martial arts instructor in order to prevent injuries and to ensure the proper technique is utilized. In addition, all martial arts techniques and training should be used safely and responsibly.

How To Do A Martial Arts Axe Kick

  • A martial artist will raise their rear leg vertically as high as they can and then bring their leg down against the target. Martial artists can also use their lead leg in order to do a front leg axe kick.
  • Martial artists will try to strike the target with the heel of their foot. The hard bone of the heel is more effective than striking with the sole or ball of the foot.
  • In self-defense, this kick can be used against targets such as the face or shoulder bone of an attacker.
  • This kick should only be used in certain situations because the martial artist is leaving their groin exposed for a counter attack.
  • In order to maximize the effectiveness of this kicking technique, martial artists need to work on their flexibility because it is easy to pull a hamstring with an over-extended axe kick.

Axe Kick Variations

Taekwondo Instructional Video on Axe Kicks

Kickboxing Instructional Video on Axe Kicks

Axe Kick – Marine Corps Style!

Axe Kick

Image provided by Wikimedia Commons

Reference Sources

  1. Information provided with permission from Taekwondo Animals.com, Taekwondo Axe Kick, https://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-axe-kick.asp