Kick

A kick is a physical movement in which a person strikes something or someone with the leg or foot. It is performed by generating force from the muscles of the thigh, hip, and leg, then transferring that kinetic energy to the target.

Kicks serve various purposes: sports such as football, martial arts including karate and taekwondo, and self-defense. Many animals also use kicks to defend themselves against predators.

Physical technique

A typical kick involves several stages: balancing on one leg, raising the other leg, extending the joints, and striking the target. The force generated depends on the speed of the leg movement and the weight of the body parts involved in the motion. Body stability is important, since a kick relies on a single leg for a brief moment.

Sports

In football, the kick is the primary way the ball is moved. There are different types, including kicks inside the foot, outside the foot, and sole kicks, each giving the ball different trajectories and spins. In rugby and American football, the kick is also part of the scoring system.

Martial arts

Martial arts systems such as taekwondo, karate, muay thai, and capoeira make kicking a fundamental component requiring extensive training. Kicks have greater reach than hand strikes, but they place the person in a precarious balance position while the leg is in the air. For this reason, training emphasizes proper leg recovery.

Animals

Animals such as horses, donkeys, camels, and zebras use kicks for defense. The hind legs of these animals have strong muscles capable of generating considerable force. Some kicks are considered dangerous, as they can cause serious injury to humans and other animals.