Ken Zen Ichii Karate
KICKS
In this section we will deal with the fundamentals of the basic kicks, which are the FRONT, ROUNDHOUSE, BACK, SIDE, and CRESCENT KICKS
.In practice, the target of a kick is in the center of the body, but as the kick is learned the target can be changed higher or lower. While the description of the kicks may sound simple, the actual performance requires balance, correct aim, and, as in the side and roundhouse kick, co-ordination of the kicking and balance foot. As your skills with basic kicks is acquired, a solid foundation for techniques and transitions which are more advanced will become established.
In the FRONT SNAP KICK (Maegeri), the knee comes up to the level of the hip then the ball of the foot is quickly thrust out to a point at the pit of the stomach. The body leans forward a bit to compensate as the kick is "snapped" out and back in.
Front Snap Kick (Maegeri)
The ROUNDHOUSE KICK (Mawashigeri) uses the ball of the foot and the same snapping motion as the front kick. But first the knee is brought up and to the side of the hip as the balance foot pivots so that the heel is pointed in the same direction. As the ball of the foot kicks around to the ribs, the heel of the balance foot pivots forward. The heel should pivot back as the kick itself is returned. The body is held facing toward the target.
Roundhouse Kick (Mawashigeri)
With the BACK KICK (Ushirogeri), the knee is brought up to the level of the hip. Then as the body leans forward the heel of the kicking foot is thrust back at the center of the target. In the return motion the knee is brought up as the body straightens itself back to the starting position.
Back Kick (Ushirogeri)
In the SIDE KICK (Yokogeri), the edge of the foot is brought up to the front of the opposite knee. As the foot is extended out, and to the side, the heel of the balance foot pivots to point in the direction of the kick.
Side Kick (Yokogeri)
The CRESCENT KICK (Mikazukigeri), can be performed to the inside or outside. For the Inside Crescent Kick the sole of the foot is used. The foot moves in a circular motion across and up.
Inside Crescent Kick (Mikazukigeri)
The Outside Crescent kick uses the outer edge of the foot. The rear foot is moved across the front of the body and back out. As it moves in a circular motion the foot is brought up to the side of the face.
Outside Crescent Kick (Mikazukigeri)