Upkick / Pedalada is an intermediate kicking and knee drill from the 200+ Functional Combat System (FCS), working primarily the lower explosive and anterior core. It is programmed as a main-workout element, trained on mats. Equipment needed: Yoga/Exercise Mat.
Table of Contents
Upkick / Pedalada Execution Standards
- From your back, kick straight up into their head as they lean in.
200+ FCS Combat Application
In the 200+ FCS roadmap, Upkick / Pedalada belongs to Phase 2.2 (Ground Survival & Leg Manipulation). A good kick is a whole-body decision: standing leg, hip rotation, and posture all commit together. Drill it here until the commitment is fast, balanced, and repeatable. The primary physical targets are the lower explosive and anterior core.
How to Structure Your Upkick / Pedalada Training
Program Upkick / Pedalada in the main block of your session: 3–4 working sets or rounds of 45–60 seconds, with rest intervals short enough to challenge you but long enough to protect technique. At intermediate level, add speed or resistance only when every rep stays clean.
Common Mistakes
- No recovery plan — landing heavy and square after the kick
- Kicking with the foot instead of driving through with the shin or hip
- Skipping the standing-leg pivot and torquing the knee
- Leaning back excessively and losing posture on impact
Safety Notes
- Use a mat with adequate grip and thickness for the drill; a sliding mat is worse than no mat.
- Stop the set if sharp pain, dizziness, or loss of control appears — technical quality is the safety system.
Coaching cue: From your back, kick straight up into their head as they lean in.
Benefits
As part of the broader 200+ FCS exercise library, this movement builds on core kickboxing technique principles while targeting the specific demands of the Kicking & Knees phase. In terms of difficulty, this is best suited to athletes who already have the underlying fundamentals in place.
From a logistics standpoint, a mat is recommended for comfort and joint protection, and in terms of kit it requires only minimal, pocket-sized equipment.
That combination of low logistical overhead and clear technical standards is exactly why this drill earns a permanent spot in the Gooart Space 200+ FCS system rather than being a one-off novelty movement: it can be trained consistently, tracked over time, and progressed safely as your overall combat fitness improves.
Programming & Progression
In the 200+ FCS framework, Upkick / Pedalada is programmed inside the main workout block of a session. Program it in the main block of the session, after the warm-up, when you have the most physical and mental capacity to hold strict technical standards under fatigue.
At the intermediate level, prioritize clean technique over speed, load, or range of motion — the execution standards above exist precisely so that quality is never sacrificed for intensity.
As you progress, the natural next step is to increase either the volume (extra sets, rounds, or reps), the resistance or speed, or the complexity of the movement itself, but only once every rep can be performed to the standard described earlier on this page. Revisit the Common Mistakes and Safety Notes sections regularly, since fatigue is usually what causes technical standards to break down first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Upkick / Pedalada suitable for beginners?
Upkick / Pedalada is classified as intermediate in the 200+ FCS system. In practice, this is best suited to athletes who already have the underlying fundamentals in place, and it is best coached with strict attention to the execution standards above before adding speed, load, or resistance.
What equipment do I need for Upkick / Pedalada?
This drill requires only minimal, pocket-sized equipment, and a mat is recommended for comfort and joint protection. Check the Equipment Kit and Setup fields listed on this page for the exact gear used at Gooart Space.
Where does Upkick / Pedalada fit in a training session?
Upkick / Pedalada belongs to the main workout block of the 200+ FCS session structure. Program it in the main block of the session, after the warm-up, when you have the most physical and mental capacity to hold strict technical standards under fatigue.
Related Exercises
You've read the standards — now train them. Book a 1-on-1 session at our Melaka studio and get your baseline mapped across all 7 FCS systems in your first hour.
Book Your First Session