Yop chagi (side kick)

Chagi

A chagi is a technique to overpower the opponent by making use of the foot manipulated by the motion of leg. The chagi can be performed by using the force at the time of extending the bent and folded knee or the flexion force of the extened leg, making use of the body's turning force. The chagi techniques are classified by the motion of leg and foot, and the kicking power diggers according to the applicable parts of the body. There are also other classification methods according to the way of kicking either by holding the opponent or using the impellent force. 

Yop chagi (side kick)

 

1. As in the apchagi, one lifts up the kicking leg, folding the knee, and then stretches the folded knee as he or she turns the body in the opposite direction to the target and kick the target with the back sole of foot.
2. At the moment of the kick, the base of the kicking leg twists at the pelvis in a manner of turning over and the head is raised to keep the eye fixed at the target. At this moment, the trunk also twist like a spiral from the shoulder to the pelvis region and the leg. Therefore, the back sole can kick the target powerfully by spiralling just as a bullet passes through the rifle barrel spiralling. The target is determined according to the opponent's position; if the opponent is facing the front, the target will be the face or the solar plexus and it will be the flank or the side chin, if the opponent stands sideways.
3. After the kick, the kicking leg will be drawn back to the original position or where it is intended to be placed for next moves.
4. The other leg supporting the body will assist the kick by pivoting on its fore sole, stretching the ankle and help accelerate the speed of kick by stretching knee simultaneously. At the time of retreating the kicking leg, the supporting leg's ankle and knee will be lowered again.
5. At the moment of a yopchagi, the upper body should not be left falling in the direction opposite to the target. The upper part of the body must be raised so that the entire body may from a "y" letter shape, enabling the weight to be converted into impellent force of kick.

• A yopchagi applies the back sole and the foot blade in attacking and they must move on a straight line from the starting point to the target.