Front Leg Axe Kick – Martial Arts Technique

This page provides details on the martial arts front leg axe kick. This martial arts kick is more difficult form of the traditional rear leg axe kick (especially if the martial artist lacks flexibility). The front leg axe kick is often used in sparring competitions when the martial artist needs speed versus the greater power of a rear leg axe kick. This kick is also known as forward leg axe kick. For information on other martial arts kicks (i.e. spinning hook kick), please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main 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.

Written Instructions for a Front Leg Axe Kick

  • This kick focuses on raising a front leg vertically as high as a person can and then bringing the leg down against a target (i.e. practice pad or an opponent).
  • A front leg axe kick is more difficult than a rear leg axe kick because a martial artist needs to be more flexible. With the rear leg axe kick, a martial artists raises their rear leg and use the rotation of their hips in order to increase the height for the kick. In contrast, the front leg axe kick, the martial artist only has to bring the leg straight up.
  • The front leg axe kick is often combined with a skip or slide because a martial artist needs room in order to raise their leg without it being blocked by their opponent’s body.
  • Martial artists 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 can only be used in certain situations because a martial artist is leaving their groin exposed for a counter attack.
  • Martial artists often work on improving the flexibility of their hips, quads, groin, etc. in order to maximize the height of this kick and to avoid pulling muscles (i.e. hamstrings) with an over-extended axe kick.

Axe Kick Variations

How To Score in Sparring with a Front Leg Axe Kick