Valor TKD 101: Changing the cut kick

As you know, cut kick is merely side kick when used in a sparring match. You raise your leg sideways with your foot facing the target and exten your leg,essentially "stabbing" the opponent with your kick. While this usual method is effective, the "stabbing" aspect could be made much more efficient and improved with 2 key changes: Raising the leg at a 45 degree angle instead of 90 degrees as well as pivoting.

1.) Get into fighting stance and raise your leg up without trying to make it sideways. Your leg should already be facing diagonally (AKA 45 degrees) if your fighting stance is not too square, meaning you are not facing toward your opponent. Your shoulder should be facing your opponent. 

2.) Pivot the foot you are balancing on to turn your body sideways; you should not be using your arms to turn sideways. When you raise your leg as mentioned above, you must pivot your foot immediately until your heel (The foot you are balancing on) faces forward. This will automatically make your hips turn and give your cut kick a better "stab" motion, thereby making it stronger. 

NOTE: Be sure to do another kick after cut kicking.

Keep in mind the leg raise and the pivot when you attempt to cut kick in sparring. Force yourself to do it until it becomes natural. You should then notice your cut kicks becoming more powerful just from changing the way you kick, rather than trying to kick harder.