Kicks in Karate

Keri (Kicks)

In Japanese karate, if you just want to say "kick" then you simply pronounce it as "keri".

If you want to state a type of kick then you change it to "geri" e.g "Yoko-geri"

In Karate, kicks are the most powerful form of of attack. These techniques are generally slower then the hand striking methods but can be very effective. The distance between the opponents head and your hand is much shorter when compered to your foot. Mid to upper target level kicks generally work against gravity. If poorly executed then the technique will by very ineffective. A poor punch will a greater impact than a poor kick. It takes years to get your kick to a proficient level. Once mastered the kicking techniques get use more then punches to deliver more painful attacks to opponent in combat.

Caution: Our feet is full of sensitive bones so we must take precaution and clearly understand which part to utilise best. Take are when using the top and the side part of your feet. The back heel part is much stronger.

Aiming of Kicks

Majority of karate kicks are aimed via the knee. In some cases the knee not might point directly at the target. For an effective execution of a kick the knee must be aimed at target area, raised and released correctly.

Points of Contact

Haisoku (instep), Sokuto (edge of foot) and Sokki (top of foot) parts of the feet must always be used on softer parts of the body. Always use proper technique, form and control when targeting the following softer areas:

back
groin
neck
ribs
stomach
thigh and etc

Kakato (heel) on the other hand is much harder and can generally by used on any part of the opponents body. These include the mentioned above softer parts and the following hard target areas:

skull
forearm
shin
shoulders and etc

There is also Josokutie (ball of foot) and Hiza (knee) parts of out feet which can be very effective and strong. The JKA Mawashi Geri (using the the ball of foot) can land a powerful blow when when the hips roll forward the knee comes around with a snap horizontally to the floor. In close quarter combat the knee can be deliver a destructively powerful impact to the chest area.

Caution: The side of knee has sensitive pressure point so any forceful impact can temporarily immobilise your entire leg. Take care when using the knee.