Heel Kick (Kick with Heel) 蹬腳
Dēng jiǎo
How to do it
Like Separate Foot but the foot pushes out with the heel, toes pulled back, often after a turn.
Step by step
- Turn as needed and cross the wrists
- Lift the knee
- Open the arms and push out with the heel, toes pulled back
- Lower the foot with control
Breathing
Exhale on the push of the heel.
Health focus
Balance, ankle and hip stability.
Common mistakes
- Snapping the knee straight
- Losing the supporting leg's softness
Martial meaning
Thrusting kick to the midsection or knee.
How it varies between styles
| Yang | Turn and kick left / right with heel. |
|---|---|
| Chen | Kick With Heel (Deng Jiao) – powerful, sometimes after jumping. |
| Wu | 'Turn body kick with heel'. |
| Seated | Extend the leg and flex the foot, pressing out through the heel. |
Where it appears
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 13: Kick with Right Heel
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 15: Turn and Kick with Left Heel
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 39: Turn Body and Left Heel Kick
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 45: Right Heel Kick
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 48: Turn Body and Right Heel Kick
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 50: Left Heel Kick
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 51: Turn Body and Right Heel Kick
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 33: Turn Left and Kick With Left Heel
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 39: Turn Right and Kick With Right Heel
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 31: Turn and Kick with Left Heel
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 37: Kick with Right Heel
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 30: Turn and Kick with Heel (then Brush Knee left and right)
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 37: Turn Body Kick with Heel
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 49: Turn Body Kick with Heel
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 35: Turn Over Body and Double Jump Kick
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 38: Spin, Right Heel Kick
Animated 2D guide (front view). The highlighted leg carries the weight, the faint trails show the path of the hands, and the cue at the top suggests the breath.
Video demonstrations 影片
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Move slowly, keep the knees soft and over the toes, and stay within a comfortable range. Every movement can be adapted for a chair.