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By Clement Sequeira Published on: Wed Apr 6, 2022
The side kick aims to hit the upper/chest or the middle region of the opponent using the side of the foot. Four different types are the side kick with back leg, side kick with leading leg, scissor-move side kick, and the jumping or flying side kick. These are used in varied applications in Kihon, Kata and Kumite.
National-level medallist and authorised instructor, your sensei has over 25 years of experience in this martial art form. Clement is a 4th Dan Black belt and also holds distinguished positions as a national level judge with Karate Association of India, and a continental referee with the World Union of Karate-Do Federations.
While the previous blog was on the front kick, this one is all about the side kick in Karate. It is a basic yet powerful kick to attack an opponent in Karate practice as well as for self-defence. The side kick mainly aims to hit the upper/chest or the middle region of the opponent using the side of the foot. In Japanese terminology, especially in Karate practice, the side kick is known as "Yoko Geri".
The side kick requires flexibility of the legs and balance while kicking, to hold the weight of the entire body supported on the non-kicking leg. For this reason, Karatekas go through a lot of balance, leg flexibility and strengthening exercises.
In this technique, the Karateka lifts up his back leg in a forward stance, bending at the knee and doing a 90-degree turn, transferring the weight onto the centre, and thrusts the foot forward, making a strike with the side of the foot. The kicking leg lands back in a forward-stance position.
In this technique, the Karateka lifts up his leading leg in a forward stance, bending at the knee, twisting at the waist, while transferring the weight onto the back leg, and thrusts the foot forward, making a strike with the side of the foot. The kicking leg lands down in a forward-stance position.
In this technique, the Karateka, in a back stance, drags his back leg, back and across the leading leg, lifts up his leading leg, bending at the knee while transferring the weight onto the back leg, and thrusts the foot forward, making a strike with the side of the foot. The kicking leg lands down and forms a back-stance position.
In this technique, in a back stance, the Karateka jumps with both the legs drawn up and kicks with the leading leg while still airborne. The strike is with the side of the leg. The Karateka lands down in a back-stance position.
These kicks are used in varied applications in Kihon, Kata and Kumite. They are a great weapon for the Karateka to attack the opponent. With these new moves that you know now, it's practice time. Master these kicks along with the other skills you’ve learnt. Our next blog is on foundation movements for Kata – foot and leg sweeps.
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