December 25th , 2016

This week's thought is from Anne Burgevin, Sho-Dan,

Ueshiro Okinawan Karate Family Dojo (State College, PA)

 

It Comes Back Faster Than It Goes Out: Gerikata – Kicking Technique

When a new student is introduced to the kicking technique, or gerikata, he or she is taught the front snap kick or mae-giri first. To best illustrate the front snap kick the instructor breaks it down into three movements in order for the beginner to see that this kick is really a series of specific movements. No matter one's rank it is always a valuable lesson to think about the front snap kick in the following way:

#1 - raise knee slightly above hip level with foot engaged in a 90 degree (right) angle position,

#2 - extend leg to deliver a toe tipped kick with foot piercing into target keeping the body upright, no leaning back,

#3 - return leg to position #1 faster than it went out to maximize the strength of the strike, minimize the time relying on one foot for balance, and minimize the likelihood that a fast-moving opponent can “catch” one’s foot.

For a visual, see attached photo of Kyoshi Kaplan demonstrating quick snap-back motion in mae-geri technique.

 

Domo arigato gozaimasu, and Happy Holidays everyone!!

Sempai Burgevin