The Side Kick

Now facing their respective training dolls, the students were watching and paying attention to Anna, who was in front of the training room with a training doll next to her. She was explaining how to deliver a side kick while also showing the steps used to deliver the side kick.

"The side kick is a powerful kick. Though it is similar to the front kick, it tends to be slower than other basic martial arts kicks." Anna said. "When carrying out a side kick, the knee is elevated before the kick is thrown, creating a space or angle between the upper leg and the ground before the person rotates the knee and delivers the kick."

"The space or angle between the upper leg and the ground is known as a chamber." Anna explained and raised one of her legs. Elevating her knee up to her waist level, Anna pointed out the chamber making sure all the students saw her and delivered a side kick to the doll that was next to her.

Not bothering to look at the number which was displayed on the electric board above the training doll, all the students waited and focused on the next thing Anna was going to say.

"You guys should try carrying out a side kick." Anna said. "You should practice it step by step to ensure you are using the correct technique. For now hold on to a chair or wall to help you balance while learning."

Grabbing chairs and holding on to them, the students used the chairs to help themselves balance while lifting their leg above the ground for a side kick.

"If you throw the side kick with your right leg, extend your left arm behind you at the same time. Do the opposite if you throw the side kick with your left leg. Doing that helps you to maintain your balance while learning the motion of your kicking foot." Anna said to the students.

"Stand sideways to the doll and lift the knee of the leg you want to use to hit the doll." Anna said. "The leg you are going to use to hit the doll must be the one close to the doll when you stand sideways so know how you are standing. Stand with your dominant leg facing the doll. Do you all get it?"

"Yes." the students answered.

"Good. Your ankle should be flexed and the blade of your foot should be ready to strike. The blade of your foot is the outside edge, which you will use to make contact with the doll or whoever you might be fighting. When you lift your knee you should be pointing your heel at the target. Although normally you would turn your body sideways during the side kick, for now you should start sideways to practice the motion of your kicking foot only."

Watching the students, Anna saw that most of them were understanding what she was explaining. Jake had been listening very closely while she was explaining because she hadn't taught him how to carry out a side kick. Anna moved around the training room and was correcting people who were not getting the kick right.

She also helped them by bending their legs properly into the chamber position, lifting their knees to the right level and so on.

Moving back to the front of the training room, Anna stood next to the training doll again and faced the students. "Now that you've gotten those few steps, let's move on."

"Drive your knee out towards your target and extend your leg fully. Straighten your leg and bring your foot to the body height of your opponent. For now, the doll is your opponent. Try to get as much of your sole facing the ground as possible. You will always strike with the blade of your foot when delivering a side kick so make sure you remember that."

"Just like the front kick, aim to the body of your opponent, unless you can aim higher. Like me." Anna said and threw out a side kick which hit the head of the doll. "Make sure that your heel is higher than your toes when striking." Pointing at her leg which was still on the head of the doll, Anna showed the students how the heel of her foot was above her toes.

"Bend your knee back to its original position before bringing your leg down to the ground."

Watching the students again, Anna did what she did before and walked among them to help them get the side kick correctly then she walked back to her spot in front of the training room.

"Now that you have practiced the motion of your kicking foot, you will add the motion of your standing foot. The standing foot is key to your side kick and is extremely important for generating power and maintaining balance. Pay very close attention to the movement of this foot." Anna said as she began to explain the motion of the standing foot.

"Start with your normal fighting stance. You all have had fighting stances from the time I taught you how to deliver a decent kick, so now use that fighting stance. Your foot should rotate through a hundred and eighty degrees during the entire side kick. This means that by the time you strike your target your standing foot will be pointing backwards. It's not that complicated." Anna said as she moved around again.

Going back to the front of the class, Anna continued explaining the steps of a side kick.

"Do you seriously know all this from your head?" Kevin asked.

"You don't see me carrying a book do you?" Anna asked as her reply. "You guys shouldn't worry. When I'm done training you, you will almost be as good as me. Though some will definitely be better than the others."

"At least let us take a break." Rick said.

Jake wasn't tired but all this information and knowledge of martial arts was really mentally exhausting and with the level of his mental moxie being somewhat low, there was only so much he could take. He could still understand some more of what Anna was saying but he doubted if the other students could. The only ones that looked like they could still keep learning was Smith, Kyle and Diane.

"Alright, you guys can go on a break. But don't be late." Anna said while smiling in Jake's direction. "I give you fifteen minutes for your break today."

"Thank you." the students hollered as they left the training room.