Here we are with Episode 8 of our Kick Like A Pro series with more Taekwondo tips for beginners! Today, we're showing you how do to an Axe Kick.
The Axe Kick is a head level kick that you land with the bottom of your foot, heel included. It can be done on attacking or countering techniques, back leg or front leg. Today, we're going to take a look at the basic Axe Kick, which is done with the back leg. It's one of the easiest kicks to learn in Taekwondo, and I'm ready to break it down for you.
Be sure to stay until the end to hear our Axe Kick pro-tip.
The axe kick, or naeryeo chagi, is a Taekwondo technique where the leg is raised straight up and then dropped sharply downward, striking with the heel or the bottom of the foot. Unlike kicks that drive forward through a target, the axe kick works vertically, which makes it deceptively simple to learn but genuinely difficult to defend against. It's a staple in both sparring and forms (poomsae), and it's one of the first "trick" kicks most students in our Cedar Mill and Beaverton classes get excited to practice.
1. Start in a ready stance with your weight balanced and your hands up in guard position.
2. Chamber your kicking leg by lifting your knee, then extend the leg straight up toward your target - keep it as close to vertical as your flexibility allows.
3. At the top of the kick, snap your leg downward, striking with your heel or the bottom of your foot.
4. Land with control and immediately reset into your stance so you're ready to follow up or defend.
5. Practice slow and controlled before adding speed - the axe kick relies on precision, not power.
Bending the knee too early. Many beginners start dropping the leg before it's fully extended, which robs the kick of both height and snap. Focus on reaching full extension first.
Losing balance on the standing leg. Because the axe kick is a vertical motion, your base leg has to do all the stabilizing work. Slow, controlled reps build the balance you need before you add speed.
Telegraphing the kick. Dropping your hands or leaning back before you kick gives your opponent a warning. Keep your guard up and your posture neutral until the leg comes down.
In sparring, the axe kick works best as a counter when an opponent closes distance predictably, or as a feint that sets up a follow-up technique. In forms and testing, it's a common marker of technical control since judges can immediately see whether a student has the flexibility, balance, and precision to execute it cleanly. It also pairs naturally with kicks like the tornado kick, which is another great next step once the axe kick feels solid.
Ready to start learning kicks like this one? Our Kids Taekwondo classes in Cedar Mill build these exact skills, plus confidence and discipline. Book a free trial class today.
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