The Turning Wheel Kick is one of the ten primary kicks associated with, but not limited to, the martial arts of: Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo, Hapkido, MMA, Kickboxing, etc. This kick is delivered with a circular type motion and relies more on speed and momentum for power, rather than actual physical strength. The striking surface utilized in the delivery of this kick is the back of the heel or calcaneus bone, although you can also use the sole and/or ball of the foot. However, the effects of a Wheel Kick are greatly reduced when any other part of the foot other than the back of the heel, is utilized.

The Wheel Kick is used almost exclusively to an opponent’s head and is rarely if ever used to strike the body. The primary target points for the Wheel Kick are the temple, nose, jaw, and the spine along the back of the neck. Although there are several major factors involved in the correct execution of a Wheel Kick, one of the most important is the proper act of pivoting on the ball of the base leg foot. Many a student has succumbed to unnecessary knee injuries due to a lack of understanding and improper pivoting when executing the Wheel Kick.

The Wheel Kick is not by its very nature a fast kick, and due to the increased distance it must travel before striking its target, it is better suited as a finishing technique after your opponent has already been set-up by another technique. Properly applied, the Wheel Kick can be an effective kick to use in a fighting or self-defense/combat situation.

The Wheel Kick like the Axe Kick, Crescent Kick, Reverse Crescent Kick, Hook Kick and Hatchet Kick relies on strong flexibility of the lower back and hips in order to obtain height and correct execution of movement when kicking. In order to obtain the maximum amount of impact potential in the Wheel Kick, your base leg, kicking leg, hips, and upper body have to be utilized correctly throughout the entire kicking sequence.