Kerikata (Kicking Techniques)

• Mae-geri (Front kick)
• Yoko-geri (Side kick)
• Ushiro-geri (Back kick)

Mae-geri (Front kick)

Start in a Shizentai-dachi (Natural walking stance) with hands up in a ready position. Shift the weight to the front foot and raise the back leg bringing the knee forward and as high as possible in front of the body. Rotate the hips and shoulders bringing the raised leg side forward and slightly rotating on the ball of the supporting foot so the toes point outward. Thrust the hips and foot forward straightening the leg and curling the toes of the foot up. The striking surface is the Koshi (Ball of the foot). After the strike, quickly bend the knee snapping the foot back again to avoid being grabbed. Place the foot back down on its original position.

Yoko-geri (Side kick)

Start in a Heiko-dachi (Parallel stance) with hands up in a ready position to one side. Shift the weight to the foot on the opposite side and raise the kicking leg bringing the knee forward and as high as possible in front of the body. Bring the kicking foot to the side of the supporting knee parallel to the floor with the edge of the foot down. Rotate the hips launching the raised foot straight out to the side and slightly rotating on the ball of the supporting foot so the toes point outward. The striking surface is the outside edge of the foot, near the heel. After the strike, quickly bend the knee snapping the foot back again to avoid being grabbed. Place the foot back down on its original position.

Ushiro-geri (Back kick)

Start in a Shizentai-dachi (Natural walking stance) with the hips twisted and the hands up in a ready position facing the rear. Shift the weight to the front foot and raise the back leg bringing the knee forward with the foot below the hips. Thrust the foot straight back with the toes pointing down and strike with the heel. After the strike, quickly bend the knee snapping the foot back again to avoid being grabbed. Place the foot back down on its original position.