In karate, the front, side and back kicks (“geri”) are three of our basic techniques. In Japanese, the front kick is “mae geri”, the side kick is “yoko geri” and the back kick is “ushiro geri”. While they are three distinct techniques, and can be best utilized in different situations, there are still many commonalities.
Let’s consider the similarities and differences in these three kicks.
Similar Start
Each kick begins and ends in the same way. To start each kick, the rear foot is brought up to the other knee. Let’s assume a front stance (zenkutsu dachi) with the right leg in back. In this case, the right/rear foot is brought up next to the left knee. The right foot should move in a nearly straight line from the rear floor position to the left knee, as if moving up a ramp. When next to the knee, the bottom of the foot should be parallel to the ground, with the toes pointing upward, bending at the ball of the foot. Common problems include pointing the toes toward the floor and/or not raising the kicking leg’s knee up high enough.
Different Middle
As the foot travels from the other knee out to its target and back again, the front, side and back kicks obviously differ. However, each should be traveling in a relative straight line to its target and returning along the same path.
Similar End
After each of these three kicks has reached its target, the foot returns to its position alongside the other knee.
From this point on, all three kicks are again identical. They each should move directly from the left knee to the final floor position.
The next two kicks we learn are the roundhouse kick (mawashi geri) and the hook kick (kagi geri). Again, we have a similar beginning, a different middle and a similar ending.
Similar Start
Both kicks start with the back leg arching out to the side and rolling over to a flat position. The front ankle twists and pivots on the ball of the front foot.
Different Middle
Once the leg is arched to the side and rolled over the two kicks begin to differ. The roundhouse kick continues on the same path and attacks the side of your opponent. The hook kick changes direction, moves between you and your opponent and “hooks” around behind them.
Similar End
Each kick then returns back to the point of common start and returns along the path first created.
The are other kicks we go on to learn such as the ax kick, spinning back hook kick, double kick, etc. As you learn them try to find where you can see similarities in each kick and also how they differ.