Spinning Heel Kick

Last updated: May 25, 2026

What is a spinning heel kick?

A spinning heel kick is a head- or body-level kick that generates power through full-body rotation rather than the snap of the leg alone. The striking surface is the back of the heel, one of the hardest bony points on the foot, which makes the kick a knockout weapon when it lands cleanly.

The technique comes from taekwondo, where it was one of the earliest spinning kicks introduced in competition (Sang H. Kim, Turtle Press). It has since spread to other striking arts and shows up regularly in MMA today.

In MMA, the kick is usually thrown from a distance, often as a counter to an opponent stepping into range. Because the kicker turns their back during the spin, the move carries real risk. It is a high-risk, high-reward strike and is most useful when set up by other techniques rather than thrown cold.

The kick belongs to a larger family of spinning attacks. Fighters and commentators often use the labels spinning heel kick, spinning hook kick, spinning wheel kick, and reverse roundhouse kick interchangeably. There are technical distinctions between them, which is why this kick is one of the most variably named techniques in striking.

How the spinning heel kick works

The motion has three phases. First, the kicker pivots on the lead foot and turns the body away from the target. Next, the rear leg swings around the body in a horizontal arc, traveling between waist and shoulder height. Finally, the heel strikes the target as the body completes its rotation.

The defining feature of a spinning heel kick is that the kicking leg stays straight throughout the motion. This is what separates it from the spinning hook kick, where the leg chambers and snaps at the point of impact. The straight leg gives the heel kick more reach. It also makes the kick slower and easier to read.

Power comes from hip rotation and torque rather than leg strength. The standing leg is the pivot, and the kicking leg carries the momentum of the spin. Done correctly, the kick produces enough force to knock an opponent unconscious with a single clean connection.

Targets are usually the head and the side of the torso. Head kicks aim for the temple or jaw, where the impact can cause an instant knockout. Body kicks aim for the ribs or solar plexus.

Spinning heel kick vs. spinning hook kick

The two terms are used interchangeably in casual MMA commentary, but they describe slightly different techniques. The difference comes down to what the kicking leg does at the moment of impact.

	Spinning heel kick	Spinning hook kick
Kicking leg	Straight throughout	Chambered, then snaps at impact
Trajectory	Wide horizontal arc	Tighter arc with a whipping finish
Striking surface	Back of the heel	Back of the heel or sole of the foot
Speed	Slower	Faster
Reach	Longer	Shorter
Telegraphing	Easier to see coming	Harder to read
Effective range	Distance	Mid to close range

Sang H. Kim describes the spinning hook kick as a technical refinement of the spinning heel kick, a faster and more deceptive version that eliminated the original kick’s cumbersome straight-leg motion (Turtle Press). In modern MMA, fighters often throw a hybrid that combines elements of both, which is why the labels blur in commentary.

“Wheel kick” usually refers to the same technique as the spinning heel kick or to a hybrid version with a slight bend in the leg. Edson Barboza’s knockout of Terry Etim at UFC 142 in 2012 has been described by various outlets as both a spinning wheel kick and a spinning heel kick (ESPN, Sherdog), which illustrates how interchangeable these labels are in practice.

Other names for the spinning heel kick

The kick appears in striking systems under many different labels. Common ones include:

• Spinning wheel kick (kickboxing, MMA commentary)
• Reverse roundhouse kick (taekwondo, in some lineages)
• Reverse turning kick
• Back hook kick (when described as a variation of the hook kick)
• Wheel kick (generic shorthand)
• Ura Ushiro Mawashi Geri (karate)

The overlap exists because different martial arts developed similar techniques independently and labeled them according to their own systems. When a fighter throws what looks like a spinning heel kick in MMA, commentators may reach for any of these terms depending on their background.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a spinning heel kick and a spinning back kick?

A spinning back kick travels in a straight line and strikes with the bottom of the heel, like a mule kick. A spinning heel kick travels in a horizontal arc and strikes with the back of the heel. The back kick is a thrust; the heel kick is a sweep.

Is a spinning heel kick the same as a wheel kick?

In casual usage, yes. “Wheel kick” is often shorthand for the same motion. Technically, “wheel kick” can refer to a slightly different variant where the leg has a small bend, but the distinction rarely matters outside of formal taekwondo settings.

What part of the foot do you strike with?

The back of the heel. It is one of the hardest bony surfaces in the body, which is why a clean spinning heel kick to the head can produce a knockout.

Where did the spinning heel kick come from?

It comes from taekwondo, where it was popular as a power attack in the earliest days of full-contact competition (Sang H. Kim, Turtle Press). It later spread into other striking arts and into MMA.

Is the spinning heel kick effective in MMA?

It can be devastating when it lands, but it is rarely thrown because of the risk involved. Turning the back to an opponent invites counters and takedowns. Most fighters reserve the technique for specific moments, such as when an opponent overcommits forward.

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Sources

1. Kim, Sang H. “Analysis of Taekwondo’s Spinning Kicks.” Turtle Press. Accessed May 2026.
2. Sherdog. “Top 5: Head Kick Knockouts in UFC History.” Accessed May 2026.
3. ESPN. “2012 knockout of the year: Barboza-Etim.” Accessed May 2026.
4. CBS Sports. “UFC stars react to Joaquin Buckley’s incredible spinning back heel knockout.” Accessed May 2026.
5. Evolve MMA. “Here’s How To Throw A Spinning Kick In Muay Thai.” Accessed May 2026.
6. Black Belt Wiki. “Karate Kick: Ura Ushiro Mawashi Geri (Spinning Heel Kick).” Accessed May 2026.

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