Peet Cha Gi

The Warrior-Scholar's Secret Weapon the Diagonal Kick
by Master Daniel Segarra

*As always check with your doctor and instructor before beginning any physical activity. Do not attempt a technique that is beyond your ability. You assume full responsibility for any and all injuries to yourself and possibly others if trying to attempt this technique. Always perform under the guidance of a qualified and certified Moo Sa Do Kwan™ instructor. The following information is for educational purposes only and for students at the Warrior-Scholar academy that have been instructed in this technique. Readers assume all responsibility when practicing or applying this technique.

The Peet Cha Gi or Diagonal Kick of Moo Sa Do Kwan™ is one of the most unique and deceptive techniques in the martial arts, it also is one of the most difficult. You must take care to learn Peet Cha Gi at a proper pace and not rush or force the technique. Proper warm up and preparation is a must. Eventually with much practice you can then throw it 'cold' for self defense, BUT you must put the time in to learn it properly and prepare your body before this happens.

*Note if you feel any pain or discomfort while practicing this technique; STOP. I recommend you consult a Sports doctor. A sports doctor understands the range of motion and can give you advice as to whether or not this kick is healthy for you. If you have a pre-existing injury this kick could make it worse. So train smart, be honest and don't let your ego push you into an injury.

Flexibility
The best stretch for this technique is one that mimics it. Sit with your feet soles together (Butterfly style) grab the heel of the foot with the same side hand. Slowly extend the leg (If this is too difficult you can have a partner support your foot). The idea is to keep the foot in the same position (Pointing to the outside with the toes curled back) Repeat and hold the stretch.

The Kick
A very good exercise is to stand sideways to a wall and place the kicking side arm on the wall for support. Let's say you are going to kick with the right foot. Place the Right arm on the wall for support.  Then put the right foot in front of the left (Supporting) legs knee, creating a figure four.  Then carefully and relaxed extend the right leg toward the wall with the goal of touching the wall with the ball of the foot. As you get better increase the height. What this exercise will to is help you with the retraction of the leg. The most common mistake is not retracing the diagonal back after the kick is extended, which would make it look like a sloppy inside outside kick. This is a snapping type kick which hits the target and retracts, power is transferred to the target and then the foot comes back.

When thrown it begins very much like an inside outside kick, BUT the strike line and foot turns inward (See the Red dot on the illustration on your right) striking the target then retraces its path back. The upper body moves opposite of the kick counterbalancing 

Important
When performing peet cha gi you must be very careful not to rise too high on the supporting foot. Many people artificially rise up on the supporting foot because that is how they saw it done. The lift of the supporting heel should happen naturally not artificially. You risk injuring your ankle if you force the supporting heel up. The supporting heel should come off the floor naturally and only a few inches. There is no need to come all the way up onto the ball of the foot it does not enhance the kick.

Applying the kick
In sparring the kick is best thrown high to the outside, sneaking up over the opponents blindside or inside to the solar plexus (which is good for self defense). You should practice using Peet Cha Gi in combinations such as front kick then cross stepping with the same leg and using peet cha gi;

My experience with Peet Cha Gi in tournaments is that you REALLY have to hang it out there in order for the judges to see it.  If the center ref was on the opposite side of the kick it usually went unnoticed or was interpreted as an incomplete inside outside kick. So you may want to keep that in mind when practicing. As for self defense you REALLY must practice this technique to make it work, when you do it's practically invisible. The best place to kick in self defense is the Solar Plexus. I've unintentionally knocked the wind out of a few people with just a tap. They don't see it coming and are completely off guard hence the tap catches them unaware and the wind goes out. Plus the angle of the kick fits perfectly into the solar plexus target. Again if you are going to use this technique in self defense and trust your life to it, you must make sure YOU make it effective by practicing it. Peet Cha Gi is well worth the time and effort to learn, it is one of the most deceptive and if properly done effective techniques in Moo Sa Do Kwan™.

Next Sparring and Combat applications of Peet Cha Gi

**Note at the time this article was authored Master Segarra was with the U.S Soo Bahk Do Federation. In 2004 he resigned from the federation and formed his own organization Moo Sa Do Kwan™ he is no longer affiliated with the U.S Soo Bahk Do federation or Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan