Taekwondo spinning hook kick (dwi huryeo chagi): step-by-step guide

The spinning hook kick, dwi huryeo chagi (뒤후려차기), is one of the moves that makes Taekwondo look like Taekwondo. The body spins a full turn, the leg extends behind and whips around, and the heel catches the target at head height. It is a high-value kick in sparring, worth the maximum five points when it lands on the head, and a highlight of every demonstration team. It is also a kick that rewards patience, because the spin, the balance and the timing all have to come together.

What the spinning hook kick is used for

In sparring, the spinning hook kick is a counter and a surprise attack. Because the attacker’s back turns for a moment, it is hard to see coming, and it reaches the head from an unusual angle. In demonstrations and breaking, it is a favorite for boards held high. It does not appear in the Kukkiwon Taegeuk forms, so it is usually taught as a separate kicking skill.

How to do a spinning hook kick, step by step

1. Start in a fighting stance, side-on to the target, guard up.
2. Turn your head first and look over your back shoulder at the target.
3. Pivot on the ball of the front foot and spin your body backward, so your back turns toward the target.
4. As you turn, lift the back leg and extend it out, slightly past the target, with the knee nearly straight.
5. Keep turning and whip the heel around through the target, bending the knee a little at the moment of impact.
6. Let the leg continue its arc and land back in your fighting stance, facing the target.

The whole kick is one continuous movement. The spin drives the kick, so do not stop turning when the leg comes up.

Common mistakes

Spinning without looking is the most common error, as it is with the back kick. The kick will miss, and you will land off balance. The head leads every spinning kick.

Lifting the leg too early is the second. If the leg goes up before the body has turned, the kick swings wide and slow. Let the turn start the kick. Third, students often stop the spin at impact, which jars the knee. The leg should pass through the target and finish its arc. Fourth, standing too flat-footed makes the spin sticky. Stay on the ball of the standing foot so it can rotate freely.

Drills to practise at home

Spin drills without kicking. Practise the head turn and full spin, landing back in stance, ten times each way. Mark a spot on the wall to look at.

Slow-motion kicks next to a wall. With one hand on a wall or chair, practise extending the leg and sweeping it around slowly. This builds the hip and hamstring strength for the extension.

Target practice. Hang a light target like a towel at chest height and practise spinning and catching it with the heel. Raise the height as control improves.

Flexibility. A high spinning hook needs open hamstrings and hips. See how to kick higher.

Clear plenty of space before practising spinning kicks at home. Furniture and siblings tend to appear exactly where the leg is going.

Where it fits in your training

Most students learn the spinning hook kick around blue belt, after the back kick and the hook kick. The next step is the jumping spinning hook kick. For how it scores, see our sparring guide, and for every other kick, the kicks guide.