Rear Axe Kick. Kickboxing
- Target muscle
- —
- Equipment
- Body weight
- Body part
- Plyometrics
- Type
- Aerobic
The rear axe kick is a kickboxing strike in which you raise your rear leg high overhead and drive the heel straight down onto a target. It develops hip mobility, balance, and total-body coordination while delivering an aerobic and plyometric training stimulus useful in both martial arts drilling and conditioning work.
How to do the Rear Axe Kick. Kickboxing
- 1Stand in your fighting stance with your dominant (rear) foot back, knees slightly bent, hands raised to guard position.
- 2Shift your weight onto your front foot, keeping your front knee soft and your torso upright.
- 3Chamber your rear leg by driving your knee upward toward your chest as you begin to extend the leg.
- 4Continue extending the leg overhead in a wide arc, straightening the knee and pointing your toes as the foot rises above head height.
- 5At the peak of the arc, flex your foot so the heel faces downward toward the target.
- 6Drive the heel straight down with controlled force, striking through the target and following through to approximately waist level.
- 7Retract the leg and return your foot to the floor in your original stance, keeping your guard up throughout.
- 8Reset your weight and stance before repeating.
Form tips
- Keep your standing leg slightly bent to maintain balance during the chamber and descent — a locked knee makes it easy to topple.
- Lead the kick with your hip rather than just your leg; rotating the hip forward increases reach and power.
- Keep your guard hand raised on the kicking side throughout the movement so you are not exposed while striking.
- Work the full range of motion slowly without a target first, then add speed and a pad or bag once the arc feels consistent.
- Consistent hamstring and hip-flexor stretching will improve your overhead range over time and reduce strain on each rep.
Common mistakes
- Dropping the guard while the leg is overhead, which leaves the head exposed and trains a bad defensive habit.
- Bending the knee too early on the descent, which turns the kick into a knee strike rather than a true axe kick and reduces effective reach.
- Leaning the torso back excessively to get the leg higher, which sacrifices balance and puts stress on the lower back.
- Rushing through the chamber phase, which reduces control at the top of the arc and makes accurate heel placement difficult.
- Locking the standing knee, which limits the body's ability to absorb the downward force and increases the risk of losing balance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a rear axe kick?
A rear axe kick is a kickboxing and martial arts strike performed with the rear leg. You raise the leg overhead in a vertical arc and then drive the heel straight down onto a target. It is called an axe kick because the motion resembles the chopping action of an axe.
Is the axe kick good for beginners?
It can be learned as a beginner, but it requires decent hip flexibility and balance. Start by drilling the chambering and overhead extension slowly without a target, and work on hamstring flexibility alongside practice. Build up speed only after the movement pattern feels stable.
What does the rear axe kick train?
It trains hip mobility, balance, and total-body coordination. As a plyometric and aerobic movement, it also conditions the cardiovascular system and develops the dynamic flexibility needed for high kicks in kickboxing and other striking arts.
How is the rear axe kick different from a front axe kick?
A front axe kick uses the lead leg, which is closer to the target and faster to deploy. The rear axe kick uses the dominant rear leg, giving it more potential power and a longer arc, but it requires more weight transfer and commitment, making it slower and higher risk if blocked.
Can I practice the rear axe kick without a bag or pad?
Yes. Shadow drilling — performing the kick in the air with no target — is a valid and common way to develop the mechanics, balance, and range of motion. Once the pattern is consistent, add a heavy bag or a held pad for impact training.
