I get this question a lot because in ElasticSteel Kicking System we have the whole program focusing on the kicker's ability to keep the torso vertical and not drop when throwing a kick.

And in ElasticSteel Kicking System, that's one of the three components of the side kick:

And for this reason, people ask, How important is it for the torso to stay up during the kick? And should it always be up? Or is it okay to drop it down sometimes, or is it okay for it to always be dropped down?

And by the way, when we're talking about sidekicks, the same would apply to a roundhouse kick. And same would apply to a hook kick of course.

The question of should the torso always be vertical?

And the answer is: Having a strong and flexible torso when throwing a sidekick is a great tool to have! It gives you more things to play with, than a kicker who doesn't have that ability. You have more options. You could do more things with your sidekick.

If you are not familiar with how the center of gravity is positioned over the base of support when throwing a sidekick: You can throw a sidekick and then keep your body as high as you can, and then try to lean away completely from the kick so your torso is vertical. And you will notice that as you are leaning away, your hips are moving in the direction of the kick, because, if the hips didn't move, you would fall over. Your torso would fall on the floor.

What does that mean? When you're trying to apply your sidekick in actual combat situation, it means that when your torso leans away, you will reach further with your sidekick. And as your torso is staying up, you will reach closer with your sidekick. Your kick will, in essence, be shorter.

So keeping your torso up gives you an opportunity to throw a short sidekick. Short sidekick is a gem. It's a powerful kick and people do not expect it, usually in short range.

I have a video talking about a whole sidekick in short range, between the punching techniques before and after a punch. You can take a look at this video below:

Also, when you try to push your opponent with a kick by leaning away, you are naturally doing a push. Because your hips move by themselves in direction of the kick to compensate for your body moving in the opposite direction. Some people even do this instinctually as they drop their body to a horizontal line. They also extend their arm out, this way it gives a little bit more length to the kick.

So in essence having a flexible torso, an ability to keep your torso up allows you
to throw that sidekick, or a roundhouse kick or a hook kick in a closer range.

And also remember that if your kick is in between your punches inside your
punches so you you might punch, kick, punch. Your punch doesn't do too well when your body is dropped away from the kicks.

When your body is vertical, you can easily transition between kicks and punches so that's the second advantage of having a vertical torso, besides just allowing you to throw a shorter kick.

It is not common for fighters to throw sidekick inside the punches. And I guarantee you if you develop good core flexibility, you will be able to do things, which a lot of people cannot do. And more importantly, what a lot of people don't expect you
to do.

If you're interested in core Flexibility program for the Sidekick. Take a look below.