In a kick, and certainly in the ap chagi or dollyo chagi, everything starts with the chamber, the lifting of the knee. This moment determines the quality of the entire technique.
The rule is simple, yet profound:
Wherever your knee points, that is where your kick will end.
Why the knee is so important
- Direction and precision
The knee functions as a kind of “sight.”
If you make a high kick to the head, but your knee remains low or points forward, your kick will automatically deviate. By aiming the knee directly at the target, you program the correct trajectory of your kick.
- Balance and control
A correct knee position ensures stability.
When the knee is central and aimed, your center of gravity remains under control. This makes it possible to both kick out quickly and immediately retract, which is essential in sparring and self-defense.
- Power Build
The power of a kick comes not only from the lower leg, but from the entire chain: hip → knee → foot.
The knee is the link that transmits this energy. If it is positioned incorrectly, the power “leaks” away.
- Speed and Efficiency
A well-aimed knee prevents unnecessary movements.
This means: less telegraphing (predictability) and faster execution.
Application for a high kick
When performing an ap chagi to the head:
Pull your knee high and straight towards the target (the head)
Keep your torso stable and slightly leaning back if necessary
From that knee position, your lower leg extends towards the target automatically.
Then immediately pull back to the same base.
If the knee is correct, the kick feels almost “automatic”, as if the lower leg is simply following.
A common mistake is that students:
try to aim the foot first
or “throw” the kick from the lower leg
This leads to:
less control
less power
a greater risk of injury
The correction is always:
focus on the knee first, not on the foot
Tip for training:
A simple but powerful thought for students during training:
“My knee hits the target first, my foot only follows.”
This principle seems small, but it forms the basis of advanced kicking. It distinguishes a technically correct kick from a random kick. By consistently training with a focus on the knee as the target, you develop precision, speed, power, and control, exactly what Taekwon-Do stands for.
The Digital Grandmaster
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