Video summary

how to kick HIGHER (Taekwondo Tutorial)

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Key takeaways

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Overview

This Taekwondo tutorial explains how to kick higher, stronger, and faster. The creator frames the method through their own progression—from an inflexible, unathletic beginner to becoming the 2024 US National Champion (under 74 kg, ranked #1).

Core Idea: Four Factors

1) Assess Your Limitation

Determine whether your problem is passive flexibility or active mobility.

  • Passive flexibility problem
    • Example: In a front snap kick, your hamstring feels tight and pulls when you lift your leg.
  • Active mobility problem
    • You can lift high, but you can’t control or power the kick at the top.
    • The kick feels “floating.”

2) Passive Flexibility (Stretching by Hip Movement Type)

Use holds of 30 seconds, for 3 sets per side.

  • Hip flexion (hamstring stretch)
    • Lift the front leg on a box/wall/ledge
    • Pull toes forward
  • Hip extension (couch / wall stretch)
    • Place the knee near the wall
    • Focus on engaging core/glute to avoid arching
  • Adduction (for crescent kick outer hip tightness)
    • Wall/pole-assisted stretch: place the outer foot behind the inner foot
    • Avoid relying on torso/lower back
  • Abduction (for inner groin stretch; helps cancels/cut kicks)
    • Use tech-specific lunge alignment
    • Keep ankle/knee/hip/torso in one line
    • Hold 30 seconds, 3 sets
  • External rotation (twist/tactical kicks)
    • Pigeon stretch targeting the outer hip
    • Keep posture square
    • Avoid leg splaying
  • Internal rotation
    • Use the 90/90 position
    • Lean to feel the outer-hip stretch
    • Modify as needed for comfort/sensation

3) Active Mobility (Strength Through the Full Range)

After flexibility work, build strength so kicks don’t feel “floppy,” especially at the top of the motion.

  • Hip flexion
    • Box setup
    • Lean into the stretch, then pulse/power-lift the foot into max range
    • Goal: improve hip flexor strength for axe kick precision
  • Hip extension
    • All-fours leg lifts with a hollow-core position
    • Avoid lower-back arching
    • 20 reps, 3 sets per side
  • Hip adduction
    • Side-lying pulses to strengthen the inner groin
    • Goal: improve whipping mechanics for crescent kicks
  • Hip abduction
    • Wall-assisted outer-hip raise/pulses
    • Tighten core to prevent back arching
    • Expect soreness as a sign it’s working
  • External rotation (active)
    • In 90/90:
      • Push into the floor for 20 seconds
      • Then lift/pull foot into the air for 20 seconds
    • Repeat 3 sets per side
  • Internal rotation (active)
    • In 90/90, focus transitions on the back leg (push/hold/pull)
    • 20 seconds, 3 sets

4) Kicking Mechanics (How to Execute Correctly)

  • Snap kick
    • Prioritize high chamber (knee up toward chest)
    • Don’t swing through with a low chamber
    • Use: “knee up → then snap out”
  • Roundhouse kick
    • Use a shortcut/diagonal setup instead of a wide arc
    • Pivot on the bottom foot at the peak so hips don’t collapse
  • Cut kick
    • First chamber with foot up
    • Defend and then score cleanly
    • Visualize clearing a block
  • Back hook kick (sparring-focused)
    • Avoid a wide “demo” arc
    • Use a tighter back-kick line
    • Then hook diagonally at the last second for knockout power
    • Think: spear through the line, then hip whip

Realistic Application (Sparring Drills)

  • Emphasizes practicing with a partner who provides real stimulus, not just holding targets.

Back Hook Kick Angle Rule

  • Draw a line near the opponent’s shoulder
  • At the highest point, pivot/flip the hip and kick through sideways
  • Don’t just kick upward—kick through the line.

Cut Kick Realism

  • Partner signals (verbally or by tapping/moving)
  • Send the foot straight to the target without telegraphing extra steps or bad chamber timing.

Back Hook Realism

  • Partner checks whether the kick creates:
    • a wide arc, or
    • a straight-through line with a late push/whip
  • Adjust based on feedback.

End Section: Promotion / Bonus Module

The presenter promotes their online school, Techundo Fury Institution, and a bonus module called:

  • “The Flexible Fighter”

It includes:

  • diagnostic self-assessments
  • targeted protocols
  • kick-specific development (roundhouse/axe/hook/tornado, etc.)
  • a personal warm-up routine

Presenters / Sources

  • Presenter / speaker: the unnamed Taekwondo coach/demonstrator (video author)
  • Referenced source: Quintilian (quoted at the start)

Original video