Become Fighter
How to throw a rear high kick
A round kick to the head, built on the same hip turn. Only throw it when you are warm.
The high kick is the round kick aimed at the head or neck. It is the most spectacular kick, but it needs the most flexibility, the most balance and the most care.
It is also high risk. A missed high kick leaves you off balance and exposed. Use it sparingly, behind a punch or a lower kick that draws the guard down.
Key points
- Never throw a high kick cold. Warm up thoroughly and build height gradually.
- Only kick as high as you can control. A controlled kick at chest height beats a wild one at head height.
- Pivot fully and let the hips open. The standing heel must point at the target.
- Lean the torso away, not back. Keep the chin tucked.
- Strike with the lower shin and recover quickly.
- Keep your lead hand up to cover your head.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Kicking high without warming up. Warm up the hips and hamstrings every session. Start low and build height rep by rep.
- Throwing it from too close. You need space for the leg to swing. Step off to the angle and kick at the end of the range.
- Leaning back and falling over. Lean away sideways, not backwards. Reduce the height until you stay stable.
- Telegraphing it. Throw it after a jab or a low kick, not as a stand-alone big swing.
Combinations that use it
Related techniques
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Round kicks module of Kickboxing foundations.
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.
More from Round kicks
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.