Kicks

We have combined varied terms to make it easier to learn combinations of terms eg, the type, target and direction of a strike. This is how commands are delivered in a class. This is an alphabetic list. Look up each individual term  to understand its root meaning.

GERI
Kick

HIZA GERI or HIZA ATE
Knee rising kick or strike

KAKATO GERI
Downward heel or stomping kick

KAN SETSU GERI
Knee joint or stamping kick, done with the blade of the foot using a downward thrust – same foot position as the side kick.

KEKOMI GERI
A downward slash or thrusting kick with the outer section of the heel and blade of the foot, usually executed on a fallen opponent

KERI KOMI
Thrusting front kick advancing off the back foot; implemented while in manoeuvering exercise or to gain distance with the thrusting kick

KIN GERI
Groin kick

MAE GERI
Front kick; a thrusting frontal kick with the foot extended, emphasising the ball of the foot as the point of contact

MAWASHI GERI
Circular roundhouse kick striking with instep of foot

MIKAZUKI GERI
Crescent kick, circular kick from inside to out – also called soto mikazuki geri

SOKUTO GERI
Side stomp kick done with the blade of the foot, sword foot kick.

TOBI GERI
Jumping kick

USHIRO GERI
Back kick using the heel of the foot

USHIRO MAWASHI GERI
Hook kick striking with heel or sole of foot

YOKO GERI
Lower roundhouse kick to the side of the body

Note: Sokuto geri (sidekick) means to use the blade of the foot, not to kick to the side. Yoko geri (roundhouse kick) means to kick to the side of the body. It is a little confusing in that sokuto does not mean side and yoko does.

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