Counter kicks off the back leg

Setup

1. Everyone in full sparring gear: headgear, hogu (trunk protector), forearm and shin guards, groin guard and mouthguard, plus gloves and foot protectors as your federation requires.
2. Match partners by size, age and experience. The sabeom (instructor) supervises from a spot where every pair can be seen, and contact stays light and controlled.
3. Pairs in closed stance (same lead leg forward), just outside kicking range. Blue attacks, red counters.

How it runs

1. Blue throws a front-leg dollyeo chagi (roundhouse kick) to red's hogu at a speed red can read, with light contact.
2. Red absorbs it with a short step back or a small angle off the line, guard tight, weight loaded on the back leg.
3. As blue's kicking foot touches the mat, red fires a back-leg dollyeo chagi to blue's open side of the hogu. One counter, then both reset.
4. Six attacks, then swap roles.
5. Next block: red chooses between the back-leg roundhouse and a dwit chagi (back kick) depending on how blue lands. Last block: open stance (opposite lead legs), so the counter goes to the other side.

Coaching points

• Counter on the landing: while the attacker's foot is coming down they can't kick again or move away.
• Give a small amount of ground. Step too far back and your counter falls short.
• Turn the hip right over on the counter so the foot meets the hogu square.
• The rear hand stays up by the face while the back leg swings.
• Attackers: this drill trains the counter, so attack cleanly and at a readable speed.

Common mistakes

• Countering while the attack is still in the air and colliding with the partner's leg.
• Dropping both hands as the back leg comes through.
• Waiting until the attacker has fully recovered their guard.
• Letting a light counter turn into a hard kick.