The tornado kick is a popular movement used in martial arts. It is otherwise known as the triple crescent kick, and it offers more benefits than a traditional straight kick offers to combat.
The tornado kick requires a large amount of rotationa momentum to allow maximum force from the kick.
If you’ve been praciticing martial arts for a while now and want to add another layer of intensity to your move library, the tornado kick could be the one for you.
It is not suggested for beginners, but once you learn the basics, you’re free to add the tornado kick into your arsenal.
Let’s take a look at how to do it, shall we?
A Little More On The Tornado Kick
As well as the ability to push more force onto the opponent, the tornado kick is often used to distract the opponent and catch them off guard.
Chances are that they’re not going to expect you to come flying towards them, high leg outstretched, ready to strike them.
When someone is coming towards you in a tornado kick, it can be very difficult to know where the impact is going to come from – which then makess it difficult for them to block or evade the kick.
However, while this sounds like a great move – why aren’t more people doing it? – it can also be difficult for the kicker.
You will find it much harder to maintain control while completing a tornado kick, which might alter the focus of the impact.
This can then reduce the effect that you were hoping for.
With that being said, it is still a very useful move to learn. Practice upon practice will help you to target your tornado kicks properly, so eventually you won’t have this negative impact on your combat.
One of the most effective ways to learn how to complete a tornado kick is to use leg resistance bands.
These help you to add power and force to your kick, as well as improving accuracy.
Resistance bands can help add strength to all of the right places to make your tornado kick as effective as possible.
Preparation For Your First Tornado Kick
Before every single tornado kick, you will need to warm up your upper and lower body.
This ensures that the muscles are completely ready for such a straining movement, and that you have full range of motion.
Complete a full body warm up for at least five to ten minutes to make sure that your body is ready to learn the new move.
Now that your muscles have been activated, you can begin using the resistance bands.
You might want to learn the basics of the tornado kick before adding resistance bands to your legs, or you might want to use them straight away for their benefits.
Some people find that using resistance bands gives them more balance, making the move easier.
If you are using a resistance band for your tornado kick, place it around both legs so that it is sitting just above the knee.
A Step By Step Guide For Tornado Kicks
Now that your muscles are nice and warm, it’s time to learn how to complete your first tornado kick! Let’s take a look at what to do, in simple steps so that you know exactly what you should be doing.
Step One
Start in the sparring stance, with your feet firmly on the ground and arms raised.
Your hands should be open with your elbows bent, like you would start any other kick.
Raise your dominant leg up quickly, with as much force as possible, into the kicking motion.
The knee will be chambered into the chest so that you can push the maximum force through the kick with your body.
Step Two
Your dominant leg will now travel across the body and meet the floor on the opposite side.
This will feel unusual and tricky at first, but the more your practice, the easier it will be. Your feet should be closer together now than they were when you started.
Step Three
Now that the dominant foot has been planted, the body will begin a natural rotation movement.
The non-dominant leg will then rise, although this is not the leg that will deliver the impact.
The leg raise will simply enhance the momentum and force to be delivered from the other leg.
Step Four
Now the non-dominant leg reaches the ground. This will be the powerhouse holding your body up while the dominant leg performs the kick, so make sure that it is firmly planted on the floor and strong.
Step Five
As the non-dominant leg reaches the floor, the right calf will then lift up and aim for its target. Keep your eyes on the target, with your head at the same height as the target.
This might mean that you need to lean forward to get a better angle of the target you’re hoping to hit.
Step Six
Focus all of your energy into kicking the target with your dominant foot as hard as possible.
It will feel slightly off balance at first, but with practice you will be able to hit this target much easier and more accurately.
Breaking Down The Tornado Kick
As you can see from the steps above, the tornado kick is actually made up of three separate kicks – the first two are just used for getting into position and building up momentum. Here they are broken down:
The first kick is the dominant leg coming up from the floor and moving across the body.
The second is when the non-dominant leg lifts from the floor and crosses over the body, leading to a 360 twist.
The final kick is from the dominant leg and is the one that offers the impact.
Summary
We hope that our article has helped you to understand more about the tornado kick and how to execute it.
It will take plenty of time and patience, but once you get the hang of it – you’ll be unstoppable!
Comments