Spinning Back Kick

Last updated: May 25, 2026

What is a spinning back kick?

Across kickboxing, taekwondo, karate, or MMA, the spinning back kick follows the same pattern. The fighter starts in a normal fighting stance, pivots on the front foot, turns their body away from the opponent, looks back over the shoulder to track the target, then drives the rear leg straight backward, landing with the heel.

What makes the kick distinct is its mechanics. It is a linear strike, not an arcing one. The leg travels in a straight path from chamber to target, with the kinetic energy of the body’s rotation channeled through the heel. Power comes from the body’s largest muscles in the hips and core, with rotational torque converted into linear force.

Fighters use it most often in two situations: as a finisher when an opponent is hurt or backing up against the cage, or as a counter to someone coming forward aggressively. The most common target is the body, especially the liver or lower ribs. Head-height versions exist but are rare because of the time and accuracy they require.

How a spinning back kick works

When a fighter throws a spinning back kick, the full sequence happens in roughly a second. The lead foot pivots, the body turns away from the opponent, the rear knee chambers up under the hips, and the heel fires straight back into the target. The eyes track the opponent throughout the spin by looking over the shoulder.

The path of the foot is what gives the kick its identity. Unlike a roundhouse, which arcs sideways into the target, the spinning back kick travels in a straight line from the body to the target. The heel does the work. The rest of the body is the launcher.

Power comes from the body’s largest muscles, with rotational torque converted into linear force through a tight, controlled turn. When a fighter over-rotates, the heel passes the target, and the kick effectively becomes a side kick.

Spinning back kick vs. other spinning kicks

Most people searching for “spinning back kick” arrive because they saw something on a broadcast and aren’t sure which kick they watched. The terms get used loosely, and several similar-looking techniques have separate names.

Kick	Path	Striking surface	Typical target
Spinning back kick	Linear, straight back	Heel	Body
Back kick	Linear, no spin, just pivot	Heel	Body
Spinning hook kick	Arcing around the body	Heel or sole	Head
Wheel kick	Arcing with straight leg	Heel or sole	Head
Spinning side kick	Linear, but hips rotate further	Foot blade	Body or head

The clearest distinction is between linear and arcing kicks. A spinning back kick is linear. The heel goes in a straight line. A spinning hook kick or wheel kick is arcing, with the foot swinging around the body in a wide path. For the back kick, the leg thrusts straight backwards like a mule. For the back hook kick, the foot comes around to the target in a wide arc.

The difference between a spinning back kick and a regular back kick is the spin itself. A back kick can be thrown without rotation by simply pivoting the front foot and shooting the rear leg back. The spinning version adds a 180-degree body turn, which generates extra momentum.

Variations of the spinning back kick

Several variations show up in MMA and kickboxing. The most common is the jumping spinning back kick, where the fighter leaves the floor during the rotation to gain height and reach. This version is used against taller opponents or to break through a tight guard. A stepping variation, with the fighter stepping forward before pivoting, covers more distance than a stationary spin and is common when the opponent is just out of range. Head-height versions exist, though they demand flexibility and timing that most fighters save for moments when an opponent’s guard has dropped.

Where the spinning back kick comes from

The kick traces back to traditional kicking martial arts, particularly taekwondo, where it is known as dwi chagi (translated as “back kick”). It also goes by names like horse kick, donkey kick, mule kick, or simply back kick, all describing the same backward-driving heel motion. From taekwondo and karate, the kick spread into kickboxing and then into mixed martial arts. Fighters who land the kick cleanly today often come from a kicking-focused background like taekwondo, karate, kickboxing, or muay thai, though it has become a standard part of most MMA training programs.

Common misconceptions

Confusion about this kick clusters around a few patterns.

The “spin” in the name can mislead readers. Despite the word, the kick is not a circular motion. The body turns away from the target until the back faces the opponent, then the leg shoots out linearly. Many instructors prefer to call it a “turning back kick” for that reason.

Another point of confusion: the spinning back kick and spinning hook kick are often treated as the same move. They are not. The back kick is linear and lands with the heel driving straight through the target. The hook kick is arcing and lands by sweeping around the head or body.

Some fans also assume the kick is rare or only for advanced fighters. The head-height version is difficult, but body-height spinning back kicks appear regularly across MMA, kickboxing, and traditional martial arts competitions. Jon Jones used one to finish Stipe Miocic with a TKO at UFC 309 in November 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a spinning back kick legal in MMA?

The spinning back kick is a legal technique under the unified MMA rules used by the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and most major promotions globally, with ONE Championship using a similar ruleset. The standard restrictions on illegal targets apply, just as they do to any strike.

Where do you hit with a spinning back kick?

The striking surface is the heel of the rear foot. Some traditional styles also accept the bottom of the foot, but the heel transfers force most efficiently.

Is a spinning back kick more powerful than a roundhouse?

Both can end fights. The spinning back kick generates power through full-body rotation along a linear path and often produces a more concussive impact when it lands clean to the body. The roundhouse arcs into the target and is faster to recover from, but typically lands with the shin rather than the heel.

Has anyone won a UFC fight with a spinning back kick?

Yes. Jon Jones retained his heavyweight title at UFC 309 by knocking out Stipe Miocic with a spinning back kick to the body in the third round, on November 16, 2024, at Madison Square Garden. The technique has produced highlight-reel finishes throughout MMA history.

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Sources

1. ESPN. “Jon Jones triumphs in return, TKO’s Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.” Accessed May 2026.
2. ESPN. “UFC 309 results: Jon Jones retains with spinning back kick TKO over Stipe Miocic.” Accessed May 2026.
3. Evolve Daily. “How To Set Up And Throw A Spinning Back Kick.” Accessed May 2026.
4. Taekwondo Wiki (Fandom). “Back Kick.” Accessed May 2026.
5. Black Belt Wiki. “Spinning Back Kick.” Accessed May 2026.
6. Turtle Press. “Analysis of Taekwondo’s Spinning Kicks.” Accessed May 2026.
7. Sensei Ando. “Fix Your Spinning Back Kick and Turning Side Kick.” Accessed May 2026.

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