How to Perform Hapkido Side Kick Defense
- 1). Stand in a fighting stance. Feet should be shoulder width apart with one leg a step ahead of the other. Arms should be in front of you preparing to receive the side kick.
- 2). Look for cues that a side kick is coming. Your opponent must either turn his hip or side step to throw a side kick. You must react the instant you notice your opponent setting up for a side kick. The hapkido side kick defense must be done at the same time a side kick is thrown.
- 3). Slide your body forward and to the side when you see a side kick coming. The idea is to "slip" the kick. Your opponent will be coming toward you with his side kick. Make him miss by sliding slightly to the side and toward them at the same time. It is very important that you are facing your opponent's kicking leg when you do this step. The leg should be right in front of you when you complete your slide.
- 4). Grab your opponent's kicking leg with both arms. His side kick should be fully extended and easy to grab. The best grip is with one arm over the leg and the other arm under the leg. If you can't do this then a double under grip will do. Pull the leg tight to your chest.
- 5). Sweep your opponent's plant leg with your forward leg. Do this with a motion from front to back impacting your opponent at his ankle. Hold his leg tight as he falls. If you are inside your opponent's kick the sweep will knock him on his back. If you are outside your opponent's kick the sweep will knock them on his face. Either way he is in a vulnerable position. Step on your opponent to finish him off.
Source...