Side kick and snap kick
Ready when: Front kicks down the lane (b4) started.
What you are learning
Two bent-knee kicks. The side kick lifts the knee to hip height, then pushes the leg out to the side. The snap kick lifts the knee, then snaps the lower leg out level, with the arms swapping as you kick. The knee always comes up first.
Words on this card Fist, Side kick, Snap kick
- Fist
- The three hand shapes: a closed fist, an open flat hand, and the fingertips pinched together with the wrist bent.
- Side kick
- The knee lifted, then the leg pushed out to the side.
- Snap kick
- The knee lifted, then the lower leg snapped out level.
Show it first for the one teaching
- Side kick: stand tall, fists at the waist; lift the back knee to hip height; push the leg out sideways; bring it back.
- Snap kick: right arm out, left fist at the hip; step forward on the left foot; lift the right knee to hip height and snap the lower leg out level, swapping the arms as you kick.
- Hold the wall at first if needed.
Your part while they practise
Check the knee comes up first.
Step by step
- Side kick: tall, fists at the waist, lift the back knee to hip height, then push the leg out to the side.
- Snap kick: right arm out, left fist at the hip, step forward on the left, knee to hip height, snap the lower leg out level, swap the arms.
- 6 of each, each side.
How much: 6 of each, each side 8 min a session 3 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Cushion kick
Kick a soft cushion held still at hip height by a parent.
Who plays: the child against their own best; you hold the cushion.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Hold a soft cushion at hip height, to the side of your body
- The child kicks it with a side kick or snap kick, as you call
- 12 kicks, mixed
- Fair play
- Hold the cushion still; a grown-up kicks with the weaker leg.
- Points
- 1 point for each kick that touches the cushion; 1 more point if the knee came up first.
- Fouls
- No points
- The leg swings up straight
- The arms stay still in the snap kick
- Kicking before you say "ready"
- Winning
- Beat your best from 12 kicks.
- 10 points for 1 star
- 16 points for 2 stars
- 22 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Hold the wall.
One fluid move, no wall.
What you will see, and what to say
- the leg swings up straight
Knee up first, then kick
Lift, then kick. - the arms stay still in the snap kick
Swap the arms as you kick
Arms change.
Self-check
6 side kicks each side with the knee lifted first.
Stop and get a coach when
Hip pain.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains side kick, snap kick, coordination.
awiseathlete.com/sports/wushu/wushu-b5