Mae Keage Geri

Front Snap Kick

Pronounced      My - Ke ah gee - gary

Required for 1st Stripe

 

Kick with the foot that is to the rear.

As the foot leaves the ground turn the toes up and tighten the ankle.  Lift the knee at least waist high, As the knee is pointed at the target.  Your knee will be bent fully back so you can get more speed and power from your kicks. (A snap kick is not like a football kick)

Keep the supporting leg slightly bent, the entire foot firmly on the ground.

Then in a snapping action extend the kick towards the target. At contact the ball of the foot does the striking.  The hips are moved slightly forward for extra power and reach.

The foot and leg are then returned in an exact but reverse manner. It is important to return the foot quickly.

 

Required for 2nd Stripe

 

Fumikomi geri (stomping heal kick) Lift the knee high, then with a downward thrusting action stomp downward with the heel. Lift the knee high again and step back into a stance.

The foot and leg are then returned in an exact but reverse manner.

What we watch for when testing  

Lift the knee high before thrusting downward. No snapping action like you would do with a snap kick.

return the foot in an exact but reverse manner, by lifting the knee high and stepping back into stance.

Yoko kekomi Geri

Side Thrust Kick

Pronounced  yo ko - ka ko me - gary

Required for 3rd Stripe

Yoko kekomi geri (side thrust kick)  Raise your knee with your foot close to the supporting leg. With a thrusting (pushing) action kick to the side. Then withdraw the leg in a reverse direction. Back to the raised position, before stepping back into a stance. Know what part of the foot you strike with, the outside edge at the heel end (Sokuto).

Even though a side thrust kick may be the most difficult kick to learn. It is well worth the effort, because it is also one of the most powerful kicks you will learn when done correctly.

What we watch for when testing  

Lift your knee before kicking, extend the leg and foot out in a thrusting action. (Not a snapping action) If you are snapping the leg from the knee as in snap kick. That is not a thrust kick. At this level it does not have to be prefect, but the student does need to understand the difference between a snapping action and a thrusting action. 

The foot and leg are then returned in an exact but reverse manner.

 

 

 

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