How To: Kick down a door [How To]

First off, kicking down a door isn’t your best option and shouldn’t be your first, especially if you have a key.  Doors are pretty heavy and are held in place pretty well and for the most part don’t crumble under the power of your boot like they do in movies.  I’ve tried to kick down a door before and it didn’t work.  I had to resort to pushing it open with my butt and the rest of me braced against a wall.  It worked, but I think it probably looked pretty gay.

But what if you absolutely have to and you don’t have time for battering rams or a slow push.  What if there’s a fire or zombie Nazis or a serial killer with a sawed-off shotgun coming after you?  You man up and kick the shit out of the door.  Well slow down there and read these helpful tips first.

How to break down a door

If you have watched enough movies, your next move is a no brainer….run at the door shoulder first, right? Wrong. This technique may be uber-manly, but it will probably dislocate your shoulder. It is better to employ a more forceful and well placed kick.

Check to see which way the door opens by checking the hinges. If the door opens towards you, kicking it down is going to be next to impossible. Kicking a door down is best employed on a door that swings away from you.

Kick to the side of where the lock is mounted (near the keyhole). This is typically the weakest part of the door.

Using a front kick, drive the heel of your foot into the door. Give the kick forward momentum and keep your balance by driving the heel of your standing foot into the ground. Don’t kick the lock itself; this could break your foot.

The wood should begin to splinter. Today most doors are made of soft wood and are hollow. They should give way fairly easily, especially since the lock’s deadlock bolt extends only an inch or less into the door frame. Older, completely solid doors will prove more resistant. Just keep on kicking until the door gives way and you can save the day.

Avoid jump kicks. While you may be tempted to employ this manly move, jumping diminishes your stability which causes you to lose power.

Via: The Art of Manliness