Tae Kwon Do Sparring: Axe Kick Counter

[bigfooth2os]

sucks. Their belts came from a discount website, and they studied under the "kung fu hillbilly" diemon dave.

[TinQuasimodo]

first human i see pull this shit off in a bar fight......gets free drinks at said bar forever on my tab.

[stridercrowe]

@TinQuasimodo Seriously? ... Alright then, I'll go to a bar and if anyone attempts to use an axe kick on me, (after a reaction of 'wtf?!') I'll do what it says in the video, namely a tkd style roundhouse kick to the other person's exposed chest after they miss. I'd much rather do it with some force, more hip rotation and less 'snap', but w/e, easiest free drinks ever!

The two moves in that video aren't THAT impractical, now if you wanted me to say do a 540 tornado kick in a bar fight...

[TinQuasimodo]

@stridercrowe You do that, buddy. Have someone videotape it and get back at me.

[stridercrowe]

@TinQuasimodo Sweet, now all i gotta do is have someone throw an axe kick at me during a bar fight for me to counter...

[ChrisWindyBoy]

@stridercrowe Do you really think you're that good?

[stridercrowe]

@ChrisWindyBoy It depends how good their axe kick is now doesn't it? If they hit me, then damn, if im still conscious, that man's getting a high five and a beer on me. My point above is simply that a roundhouse kick is hardly something to be scoffed at as "impractical." In a self-defense situation, yeah,a roundhouse is something I might do, and wouldn't be surprised if the other person tried it either - they're simple, strong, effective and widely taught in one form or another.

[ChrisWindyBoy]

@stridercrowe I do TKD and I tried doing a muay thay roundhouse kick and I prefer tkd style cause it's fasterand more powerful...

[tshenvideos]

@ChrisWindyBoy

true that

[lethal994]

@ChrisWindyBoy idk about if its faster, but a tkd roundhouse is certainly not more powerful than a muay thai roundhouse. the reason for this is becuase in tkd, the roundhouses power comes from the snap of the leg...while in muay thai, there is no snap, its more like a baseball bat swinging...all the power comes from the rotation of the body which is more powerful than the snap of your quad muscle

[ChrisWindyBoy]

@lethal994 It's faster alright... My leg is pretty heavy and my kick is fast that's why... Meaning the faster you go, the more powerful the kick would be... In my case, the TKD kick is stronger than muay thai or muay boran... But I adore both styles... and I have a friend who's Karate/Muay Thai/ Silat/ Aikido/ Juijutsu/ ... And I felt his kick to my thigh and it really hurts... When i kicked him on the head he fell unconscious... But i bet if he had countered that I would've lost...

[TheObelix876]

@ChrisWindyBoy technicly you are right taekwondo kicks are more powerfull ( F = m x v ) but taekwondoka's usually kick with their feet while thai boxers kick with their shins which are alot faster

[ChrisWindyBoy]

@TheObelix876 I guess the speed is up to the one fighting... But Muay thai fighters use their shins cause it hurts their opponent more, TKD kicks are focused on knock out...

[TheObelix876]

@ChrisWindyBoy aye but Muay thai kicks are more useless against people who are actually trained to keep their hands up ( boxers/kickboxers /sanda boxers etc

[ChrisWindyBoy]

@TheObelix876 True that... But if their arms got sore enough, There would be an opening... But that wouldn't happen...

[TheObelix876]

@ChrisWindyBoy unless the arms break and sometimes even then not lol

[808raised]

i like my big boy blue sitting in the front. you're mah boy blue!!!

[HyaSan]

Love all the comments saying that an axe kick is useless. Search for Andy Hug and let me know if you can't use one effectively in a fight. IMHO you can't TALK about what you're going to do if you go to use one because you guys are using IDEAL situations for yourselves. Fight someone who knows how to fight, post a video of you dodging a well timed axe kick, or don't bother commenting. As for Jordan360Z, maybe you don't know the rules? Or you're trying to be a "know-it-all". Either way it's wrong

[brucelee570]

Who actually uses an axe kick in a real right

[tinungtinung]

hey i glad its really really worked..tnx dude



[Ergooo]

Well, why would one leave his face and body unexposed like that after a kick, and not get back in the stance is beyond me. Also, according to my tendencies, only way I could be countered from doing an axe kick is if I simply miss the target, and he happens to lean back JUST a TINY bit. No way I would use it in the middle of a ring where your opponent could simply take a step back. Of course there are exceptions, anything could change the outcome of a fight/situation, but you get what I mean.

[Jordan360Z]

Shit counter, do a rising block and and sweep him.

[strokethefurrywall90]

Axe Kicks are unpractical and uneffecient. there fore they are usless. end of story.

[djmixmac]

@strokethefurrywall90 Ok, please volunteer to be kicked in the face by an ax kick and report back.

[IsolationInstigation]

@strokethefurrywall90 I wouldn`t go writing an axe kick off so easily. From what I`ve seen and experienced myself they`re great for quick defense. And are one of the most devastating if properly executed. Taking a vertical heel to the face`ll make you think twice before going on the offensive again.

[TheBadassmf]

can't escape my axe kick  like that....

[JVThrillz]

Or better yet: (High) Cross-block to inner leg sweep. From there you can do all sorts of nasty sht.

Keep it real people.

[Hortik249]

me and my m8 are starting karate or kung fu got any tips?

[belodeau]

Axe kick is a linear move, like forward push kick (or 'teep' in MT) Often best used as baiting move at beginning of kicking combo, or finishing kick at end of combo once you have dominated the rhythm of the exchange. Sliding forward push kick + forward sliding axe kick is common when you knock opponent off balance.

[belodeau]

At this point, it is safe to execute axe kick, given that it makes you very vulnerable. Most players use with a lot of reach on it, particularly near out-of-bounds range when opponent is cornered. Is helpful to practice it with a forward switch step. Also, can be used as fake to head, but let slide down front of opponents chest to midsection and become push kick or dangle out there as cut kick, helpful for jamming range sometimes.

[turfguy87]

spinning back kick to his open side would be sweeeet

[six6sixpounder]

His hip is collapsed completely when he kicks. no power there...

[storyacoustic]

@six6sixpounder Neither of them is really going for power. The point here is just to demonstrate how openings are created and taken advantage of. There's no need to break someone's rib in the process.

[desentrix]

@six6sixpounder The way he throws it is not necessarily for power, but it throw for points. You can tell by the way he leans back for reach, to keep the body/face away from the kick. That's the main difference between Olympic-style and traditional.

[CrimsonStunna]

total trash

[FOXHOUNDSHADE]

this is only if u fast enough cause u can feint a ax kick like its rarely used but is very effective if it hits

[eleinad]

an axe kick is a perfect counter-kick and not an offensive weapon !!!

[desentrix]

@eleinad It can be both. A good application, is a hybrid front kick-axe kick. Throw the kick as you would a front kick, or straight push kick to the face, and thrust downwards for a axe kick. Perform this as you would a fast kick with the front leg-- great for people who like to clench/move backwards.

[LuxATemporeNostro]

@galanodude i'd use the technique i'm most comfortable with, so probably flying front kick or back kick, but each technique you learn is an addition to your "arsenal", which gives you an advantage in sparring/combat, so maybe it's best to learn both?

Anyway, i'm ITF so your WTF instructor will probably know better

[usergreg1498]

It seems that most of the criticism leveled against axe kicks are in no way influenced by having a clue as to how properly throw one. Relative to most kicks in TKD, the basic mechanics are quite simple and easy to get down. The difficult part-- that being the part that involves using it effectively-- involves when/how to throw it. There are variations on executing it based on open vs. closed stance, rear vs. front, from "out -> in" vs. "in -> out" your relative distance from an opponent...

[usergreg1498]

(cont'd) If you know how best to throw it in different circumstances, it can be a real bitch to counter, and that's even if you see it coming. Done correctly, you can utterly blindside someone with it and end the fight.

[lswisherl]

@usergreg1498 I agree, its all in timing. I found when I was competing it was working best for me when I was in a clinch with an opponent. Being so close it was hard for him to pick it coming, kind of like a leg version of an overhand/overhead punch. Of course, it got harder to execute with taller opponents. If they side stepped a bit and it landed on their shoulder instead of head, all they had to do is one step towards me and i would land on my arse. That is what worked for me anyways.

[usergreg1498]

@lswisherl An excellent example, that is. My instructor-- a fan of the axe kick, to be sure-- would sometimes close to clinch range with an opponent; if they shuffled back or back-pedaled to create distance, he'd drop one on them. One thing he could do very well (and which I was bitterly frustrated futilely trying to emulate) was throw an axe kick while more or less sliding forward on his plant leg...essentially chasing down an opponent trying to slip out of range by backing up.

[lswisherl]

@usergreg1498 I had a pretty effective block against axe kick worked out too. You walk into it. Try and connect with their ankle between your neck and shoulder as their leg is at the peak of their kick, before they bring it down. Then step in. Watch them fall. Competitions only. In real life would actually hand catch that leg at top swing and knee the groin or brake plant leg. However, few times I mistimed that competition block. That hurt. But hey, gotta try things out lol. timing/speed=all

[TheHamster88]

lol.... >.> ... TKD is gay..

[Hellanaturell]

ughh that axe kick is next to the target in the begining in the middle and in the ende ^^

[shawnkoolman1]

nice kick!!!

[ciccarello]

or use the more natural and practical block for an axe kick

forearm push his foot into the split position and take him down from there, simple enough when u have ahold of some1s leg to snap it

[jaylyn3]

@ciccarello in tkd there r no take downs

[mdkimxd]

Use a side step. Axe kicks only come straight. After yo side step depending on whether it is an open stance or a closed stance you can use a quick skipping roundhouse or a normal roundhouse. This is the most common defense maneuvers whether its a featherweight or a heavyweight.

[FlownChill]

ermm axe kicks dont come only straight lol...i can change my angle for like 50 + dagrees in the air. it about getting away from it not aside of ot.

[clooney531]

lol i got lucky with this shot but i countered an axe kick with a tornado kick on my brother during sparring and knocked him out for a few seconds. wasnt a good day after that lol

[454PATRICK]

lol when ppl do axe kick ill just move back then revers hook kick. lol

[ZEN824]

@454PATRICK lol, but nice one.. easy and fast.

[xToxicamaNx]

bullshit

[ImpTricks]

lol I remember sparring my master instructor for the first time, an axe kick came out of nowhere and sat me down before I even knew what happened XD

[RDraGon2179]

I think my counter for that axe kick would of been a skip side kick.

[teamAmerica07]

its kinda hard to see an axe kick coming in a taekwondo fight, unless u r really good fighter, an axe kick done by a good fighter would slice your face.

[fu3737]

yeah, really it's only usefull for board breaking.

[ReservedParkingInc]

This seems to be formed more towards a system relying on points only...

[storyacoustic]

@ReservedParkingInc Which is what TKD sparring is, so I don't se the problem.

[McDave1312]

@ReservedParkingInc

soccer seems that way too. Olympic TKD Sparring is sport, not realistic fighting

[ganitywaltz]

well it does say tae kwon do sparring. its for sport purposes.

[hazza3]

@ganitywaltz You think all Taekwondo is just for sport?

[ganitywaltz]

@hazza3 yes.thats why i switched to mixed martial arts.

[hazza3]

@ganitywaltz ...So you switched to a Sport....

[ganitywaltz]

@hazza3 not at all

[hazza3]

@ganitywaltz ? If you don't know that MMA is a sport then you obviously dont train in MMA.

[ganitywaltz]

@hazza3 i dont. i train muay thai, boxing,dutch ickboxing,brazillion jiu jitsu,judo,wrestling and did tae kwon do for 8 years prior to that.every one of those are sports, but they are also fight styles, i mean come on. who would come and throw an axe kick out of random in the streets. this is totally for points and sport purposes.

[hazza3]

@ganitywaltz You already lost credibility when you said MMA isn't a sport.

Taekwondo has both sport and self defense systems. Though not all Taekwondo dojangs teach sport or half the things they teach in sport.

The Axe kick, well, I haven't used it in a real fight before but i attempted it in the ring but im scared of hurting my opponent to much. This is a kick that goes up and comes down striking with the ball of the heel, THAT HURTS ALOT!

[ganitywaltz]

@hazza3 also,please share your opinion if you have one

[HollywoodKendrick]

@ReservedParkingInc That's why they're always using their feet...which makes taekwondo seem different from karate...

[hazza3]

@ReservedParkingInc One word, Andy Hug.

[checkyerself]

@ReservedParkingInc well,  there is points but you can win by KO too.

[zaidbham]

that wont work all the time. my friend could controle his leg in the the air and kick u about 6 feet away.

But u could also move to the side.

[FighterInTheWind25]

I see a few items here. The kick is an inside-outside ax kick with a straight kicking leg and the person on the offense leaning back. They are not committed to the attack. This is illustrated once the attack is complete and they are in a position that does not enable them to provide a solid counter.

[ab3k1nz]

lol every counter seems so easy when demonstrated, but in a real fight reactions are different.

[beyb7]

that be true. good stuff. my reactions are terrible as well

[yugiel]

it seems pretty easy but yes i agree in real fight or in tournament it isnt easy to do,ur reflexs must be super.

[b7i7l7l7y7]

The point is to practice until your reflexes naturally adopt the movement/counter as the default counter-action.

[xPookeyBearx]

I find that when I focus too much on having super fast reflexes, I mess myself up and get hit in the head. I also find that when I'm completly relaxed, All my reactions and counters are intuitive and I really don't have to think about them.

I'm trying to focus more on relaxing and letting my muscle memory take control. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

[NarutoKyuubiSoul]

very true but i hope your not saying that tkd sucks, the thing is that many people focus on one speceific part of the body or where they think the technique will come from, if you dont focus one the whole body and look at it as a whole for ANY movement at that point move back they are still throwing the kcik you can counter easily after that its jut about who moves first

[maejhoi]

Your right, best speed offense is the best defense

[jodah666]

and in real fights the guards are up lol thats a kick to the elbow and you go crying

[ihatej00poo]

unless u wanna kick yourself on the arms, its wise not to have your arms up while doing an axe kick

[menched]

its not really recommended to raise your arms when you kick.. you swing them or pull them to the back while you twist and kick...

[03VWJettaVW03]

The guy isn't even guarding when his foot lands, of course it would be easy to counter. And throwing a round kick to the stomach is asking for a broken bone in the foot. What happens when the "ax-kicker" blocks with the point of his elbow?

[iamheaven]

his elbow could get shattered. but good point.

[thompsonarchie]

Everyone that kicks me in the elbow breaks there foot... has happend 3 different times. My elbow is still in tact

[rainingchampion]

Simple...it would hurt and life would suck after that... I'm joking...most likely, the opponent would feel a lot of pain and wouldn't even attempt to use whatever leg that was blocked anymore. Unless of course they want to cause further injury to it.

[SoldierCyfix]

this is my favorite attack, exelent for tall people. non TKD trained fighters will simply draw back, so you dont have to worry about getting countered. others try to rush you after you landed the kick but they are usually to slow to do it.

[JPITFTKD]

I once kicked someone in the head with this who is about 2.10 meters and im only 1.85

[xarran]

I dont know how this video supossed to help

[Beamer5253]

no offense, but countering a kick is all well and good when it's a rehearsed demonstration. now try it when you don't know it's coming

and also, axe kick is very predictable.... when you're on the sidelines. Go face to face with the guy and try telling if it's going to be an axe, front, crescent, roundhouse, crescent roundhouse, tornado back, double rondhouse, jumping wheel (or 360 hook, depending on the style) kick. it's all about reactions

[bqureshi390]

the thing is, if u practice it "rehearsed" so many times, it's like creating a "second-nature" phenomenon, so when the time comes, u won't have to think about what to do, but rather u will react - reaction time is important but the same thing is important is how to react - what kick to use, what step to use. the more u practice the more u gain experience with a certain technique.

[copperblade]

Believe me, Mr. Kim can do it.

[KarlithaSvC]

woooooooooooow now i kwon how to make a band.- all

[Chen1766231]

axe kicks are scary when they miss your face and end up on top of your thigh... illegal hit and your out of commission for the match hahaha....

[bqureshi390]

i think if u don't intend to hit low it's not penalty low kicks happen, but if u miss face (as ive missed an opponents face before) it can hit the chest and push opponent to the ground (as its worked for me :D)

[DrLinkFM]

this one doesnt work for me cause axe kicks are usually used when really really close Like right before the clinch.

[superkoopa001]

ive done tkd and karate , axe kick is a great move but if you miss your a bit buggerd

[panstriato2]

I don´t get it, the way I see it the opening is becouse the one doing the axe kick looses his guard when performing the kick, but the kick can be performed without loosing the guard.

Not trying to disrespect in anyway, just some genuine curiosity.

[unknownhuman1]

It's a finisher, and very vonerable. You do lose your guard for any kick, its just that this kick is the easiest to counter. Just do a roundhouse at their legs when their center of gravity is raised and their energy stored (at the apex of the axe kick). Doing so will cause them to instantly trip, force their foot on the ground in an uncomfortable way, and allow them to be hit with the axe kick themselves.

I was an ex. for the purples, even though I was one myself. I can swear this to be true

[smootube123]

@panstriato2 i think its because of the angle his stance when he finishes the kick. When he finishes it, he's no longer side on and is wide open for some pwnage as soon as his foot lands.

[FREAKSFROMBEYOND]

@panstriato2 Must be new to instruction. This brief vid covers what one might do in the situation presented. It's .23 seconds and doesn't cover ALL possible scenarios...just the one shown. You should do well in martial arts. With a head that hard, you'll never get knocked the F out...much......LOL! Open your eyes and mind. THINK!

[gasmaster01]

@panstriato2 it's true that few bother to keep their arms up, but you must remember that even if your arms are up, if their kick manages to drive through your arms, it's their point.

[shadowflame3]

@panstriato2 if you initiate with an axe kick off the back leg you will almost always be open. Hence no good fighters ever just run straight in with an axe kick, so it's not THAT useful to spend a lot of time learning to counter it.

[Grdian]

@panstriato2

A powerful offensive force can also be made into a defensive force. A unstoppable object moves back all in its path does it not?

[Kuroskata]

@panstriato2

To me, the main vulnerabilities in the axe kick is since it raises the center of your gravity during the highest point, and the fact that it's more difficult to control when you're bringing your leg down than it would be to quickly retract or feint another type of kick. For example, you can have your guard out while you're axe-kicking, but a powerful side kick/back kick or just a strong hit in general even to your guard will unbalance you more easily than it would a quicker kick.

[tiban7007]

@panstriato2 hes doing that for demonstration purposes..

[stealth560]

@panstriato2 no, if you ever join TKD they will teach you the way to block with guard and performing the axe move, but this video is just showing how it looks like, so you'll learn if you join i know cause im JR BLACK BELT in TKD in guam they teach you this at brown belt. GOOD LUCK!

[ienjoybeingthebest]

@panstriato2 you gain speed if you loose the guard, that why he looses it...

[JusticePao]

Can anybody tell me how to do an axe kick in gear? The gear itself blocks my thigh at the bottom, so I can't raise as high. Do I have to lean back or something?

[turtlepress]

Sounds like you need to go down a size in your chest gear. It should come to just below your belt level, definitely shouldn't be touching your thigh, even when you raise your leg.

[fardanio]

u know what stetch i need to do for axe kick

[bqureshi390]

when warmed up, do front rising kicks (just raise ur leg up to the front gently and easily)..also for range use crescent kick stretches and straddle stretch

[turtlepress]

@fardanio Master Kim has posted a video reply for you - see below

[CHRISmartialARTIST]

@turtlepress agreed

[eg2410109]

@turtlepress i was going to say the same

[nsdpdf]

@turtlepress also haveing you chest gear kinda lose helps it will move by its self pluse and it absorbs more impact

[desentrix]

@turtlepress also, the axe kick should not be performed perfectly square, with the hips facing the opponent. Correctly, you should be pivoting the front foot outwards (if kicking with rear leg), opening the hips and performing the axe kick. If you do this, the leg will not get jammed on the bottom tip of the chest gear-- instead towards the bottom end where the chest gear begins to ride up.

[koreanblood777]

@JusticePao Same thing happens to me.... Just lose alot of weight and keep stretching... But the most important thing is to lean back little bit that might help

[B3nBo1194]

@JusticePao easiest way mate is to use your other foot and go off it flat so it gives you a boost in hieght, but be careful it can be countered easy, its best to do spinning back kick to fend an oppenent off instead of the axe kick

[stealth560]

@JusticePao you should get your armour plate to go above you belt to peform the axe kick. with guard plus the bridge excersise really helps try it cause im jr black at tkd so i kinda experience it.

[turtlepress]

@JusticePao Master Kim has posted a video reply to this question below

[blackelsy]

@JusticePao hahaha I hardly imagine Justice Pao does TaeKwonDo =)

[zach2093]

u dont see to many axe kicks in a tournament and when u do u better know how to dodge them cause if they threw it it wont miss and even a bad one will hurt like hell if not a knock out. so dodge and round kick to the face

[dtshifter]

Would not a highblock, back-punch with other hand and then a roundhouse to the gut be and even better counter?

[storeboughtsmilex]

you can just step out of the way of the kick (because most of the time they are obvious, unless the person really knows what they are doing) and then step in with a cross to the face (because people usually have a bad habit of dropping their hands)

[richard0cheese]

I usually try to step into the opponent.

Since the kick is so obvious if you step in on them you now have their leg in a position where they can't move it. Now you can force them around or just push kick them to the floor.

[Jmarshall2k7]

hmm might hurt your arm bit doing a highblock. do u thnk?

[Chen1766231]

Axe kicks are more then scary when you do get hit ^^ especially when you think its just a high front kick.

[clayton700]

tell me about it...

[ChronoNT]

axe kicks are pretty scary when u almost get hit T.T