Front Leg Axe Kick - Martial Arts Kicking Technique

This page provides details on how to do a front leg axe kick. This martial arts kick is more difficult form of the traditional rear leg axe kick (especially if you lack flexibility). The front leg axe kick is often used in sparring competitions when you need 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 the main kicking techniques section.

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Written Instructions for a Front Leg Axe Kick

• A front leg axe kick is more difficult than a rear leg axe kick because you have to be more flexible. With the rear leg axe kick, you raise your leg and use the rotation of your hip in order to increase the height for the kick. In contrast, the front leg axe kick, you only bring the leg straight up.
• You can "cheat" and lean back while you kick in order to partially compensate for the lack of hip movement. Nevertheless, you need to work on your flexibility and stretch your hips, quads, groin, etc. in order to maximize the height of this kick.
• Raise your front leg vertically as high as you can and then bring your leg down against the target.
• The front leg axe kick is often combined with a skip or slide because you need room in order to raise your leg without it being blocked by your opponent's body.
• Try to strike the target with the heel of your foot. The hard bone of the heel is more effective than striking with the sole or ball of your 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 you are leaving your groin exposed for a counter attack.
• In order to maximize the effectiveness of this kicking technique, you need to work on your flexibility because it is easy to pull a hamstring with an over-extended axe kick.

Axe Kick Variations

• Axe Kick - Rear leg axe kick
• Jumping Axe Kick
• Jumping Spinning Axe Kick (or Tornado Axe Kick)
• Skipping Axe Kick