Biomechanical techniques can be used with taekwondo to identify the factors underlying the successful performance. Knowledge and understanding can enhance the learning skills. The half-turning kick is one of the fastest and most powerful kicks. Investigations show that good kickers could reach a maximum velocity of 30-35 m/s.

The half-turning kick is a kick that is relatively easy to learn but difficult to master .It involves rotational movements aimed at producing high velocity through the kinetic chain of body segments. Length of body segments determines the radius of rotational movements, thus influences the linear velocity of the kicking tool.

The momentum of the kicking leg is the sum of the leg mass and velocity of the foot at impact and the velocity of the body as he advances towards the target. The greater the leg mass, the greater the velocity of the foot, then the greater the resultant velocity of the impact.

Peak velocity can be measured. It is an important component in generating force, illustrated in the equation:

The mass of the thigh and the lower leg is constant. The force can be increased by maximizing velocity and decreasing the duration of impact. The acceleration of the kicking leg and the resultant impact is determined by the muscle forces and the impact is directly related to the measured strength of the practitioner. The impact has also strong relationship to torque produced by hip-flexion and the knee extension.

A good kicker should influence the effectiveness of the kick by changing the muscle tension in the muscles of the ankle. He should also create major forces at impact by reducing the swing time, enabling him to create a large change in segment velocity at the knee.

The kicker should also produce extra velocity by rotating the supporting leg and countering with arm rotation in the opposite direction for balance and drawing the torso sharply backwards, additionally using muscular elasticity of the hip-flexors and knee extensions. Correct timing means higher velocity, thus greater direct impact.

Mastering all the above biomechanical principles of taekwondo shall give much added impetus to a serious taekwondo exponent and is also useful to the instructor who is coaching at a higher level.

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