July 16 , 2017
This
weeks technique is submitted by Sensei
Rob Neff - Yon-Dan
Ueshiro Midtown Dojo
Mae-geri (Front Snap Kick)
Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei & fellow Deshi,
During a recent class the instructor quoted Hanshi’s often repeated reminder to brush the buttock with the heel while performing mae-geri, a front snap kick. This correction finally sunk in after hearing it for years. The instructor explained that we don’t want to focus on bringing the knee to the chest. This is often said, but misleading. While performing any geri (kick), hiza-ate (knee-smash), or gedan shotei-uke (universal block) we should be thinking "heel back towards the buttock." This should be done as the knee comes up prior to the kick and as it returns to the "chamber." You will notice the trajectory of the knee changes with this subtle correction. Instead of the knee pointing upwards it will drive up and out towards the target, making a smaller striking surface of the knee. Leaving the foot away from the body only gives your opponent the opportunity to grab it and push you over.
Remember all the other points that apply to this technique:
The
kick comes back faster than it goes out. If it goes out
at 50 miles per hour it comes back at 100 miles per hour.
Try to double the speed in which it comes back as though
your hip and leg were a whip.
Point the toes towards your target at all times, especially
when kicking.
Flex your foot in the chamber, bottom of the foot parallel
to the deck.
Show balance after the kick as you evaluate whether to step
forward or back.
See attached photos for the correct vs. incorrect way to chamber a kick.
Domo
arigato gozaimasu, Hanshi,
Sensei Rob Neff - Yon-Dan
Ueshiro Midtown Dojo
Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
