This page will help you learn a variety of basic Karate kicks such as Mawashi Geri (roundhouse kick) and Ushiro Geri (back kick). It also lists the Japanese names for these Karate kicking techniques. These kicks are used for kata, self-defense, kumite (sparring), demonstrations, etc. For all Karate kicks, please check with your instructor because techniques and names of kicks can vary from one Karate style to another.
You should also visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Martial Arts Kicking Techniques section to see how these kicks are done by other martial arts styles (i.e. Muay Thai and Taekwondo). That section contains a greater variety of advanced martial arts kicks (i.e. Butterfly Kick) that you can learn in order to increase your overall martial arts knowledge.
These pages are meant to reinforce and supplement what you have learned in your Karate classes. To properly understand these techniques, you need to learn them from a Karate instructor who can give an in-depth explanation of the technique, correct your mistakes and detail how the technique should be utilized. Moreover, be aware that there are a variety of Karate schools and associations so you might learn variations to these techniques. Martial arts techniques should be only practiced under the supervision of a trained martial arts instructor.
Karate Kicking Techniques – Click on the kicks below for videos, instructions, etc.
- Ashi Barai – Foot Sweep
- Fumikomi – Stomp or Stomping Kick
- Gedan Mawashi Geri – Low Roundhouse Kick
- Hiza Geri – Knee Strike
- Kakato Otoshi Geri – Axe Kick – Sometimes only referred to as Kakato Geri.
- Kansetsu Geri – Joint Kick (usually attacking an opponent’s knee)
- Kin Geri – Groin Kick
- Mae Geri – Front Kick
- Mae Geri Keage – Front Snap Kick
- Mae Geri Kekomi – Front Thrust Kick
- Mae Tobi Geri – Jumping Front Kick
- Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse Kick
- Mikazuki Geri – Crescent Kick
- Uchi Mikazuki Geri – Inside Crescent Kick, In-To-Out Crescent Kick, etc.
- Nidan Tobi Geri (or Nidan Geri) – Jumping Double Front Kick
- Otoshi Mawashi Geri – Downward Roundhouse Kick, Circular Falling Kick, Falling Roundhouse Kick, etc.
- Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku – Tornado Kick
- Tobi Geri – Jumping Kick
- Tobi Hiza Geri – Jumping Knee Strike
- Tobi Mae Geri or Mae Tobi Geri – Jumping Front Kick
- Tobi Mawashi Geri – Jumping Roundhouse Kick
- Tobi Ushiro Geri – Jumping Back Kick
- Tobi Yoko Geri or Yoko Tobi Geri – Jumping Side Kick or Flying Side Kick
- Tsumasaki Geri – Toe Kick
- Uchi Haisoku Geri – Twist Kick, Instep Kick, etc.
- Ura Mawashi Geri – Reverse Roundhouse Kick or Hook Kick
- Ura Ushiro Mawashi Geri – Spinning Reverse Roundhouse Kick, Spinning Wheel Kick, Spinning Hook Kick, etc.
- Ushiro Geri – Back Kick
- Ushiro Geri Keage – Back Snap Kick
- Ushiro Geri Kekomi – Back Thrust Kick
- Yoko Geri – Side Kick
- Yoko Geri Keage – Side Snap Kick
- Yoko Geri Kekomi – Side Thrust Kick
- Yoko Tobi Geri – Jumping Side Kick or Flying Side Kick
Shotokan Karate Kick -Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse Kick)
Shotokan Karate – Intermediate-Level Kicks
Karate Kicks
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons via its Creative Commons license