Strikes - Kicks

Keri/Geri is Japanese for kick, and as in many of the martial arts kicking forms a fundamental part of jiu jitsu. Jitsuka tend to use four main kicks, and on occasion may resort to additional 'fancier' kicks.

Primary Kicks

Mae Geri - Front Kick

For mae geri, the jitsuka raises the knee of the kicking leg up and then extends the leg quickly striking the ball of the foot into the target. The hips should be pushed through to obtain more power from the kick.

Yoko Geri - Side Kick

In yoko geri the jitsuka raises the knee up and then pivoting on the backfoot turns side on to the target and at the same time twists the hips out to extend the heel of the foot into the target like a stamp.

Mawashi Geri - Turning Kick

Mawashi geri requires that the jitsuka raise the knee up and twist the hips and leg so that they are parallel to the floor but out to one side. The jitsuka then pivots on the back foot and directs the bent leg over an imaginary obstacle into the target. This will straighten the leg, and the jitsuka can strike with the instep, or for more accuracy and power, the ball of the foot.

Ushiro Geri - Reverse Kick

the least practised of the big four, ushiro geri is also perhaps the hardest. The jitsuka looks over the shoulder of the leg they are to kick with and raises the knee up in front. Keeping sight of the target, the jitsuka drops his/her torso forwards to counter-balance the act of 'throwing' the leg out backwards towards the target. The strike is made with the heel of the foot. The kick could almost be described as a 'donkey kick'.

Secondary Kicks

Fumikomi Geri - stamping kick
Hiza Geri - front snap kick / knee kick
Mae Geri Kekomi - front thrust kick
Mae Tobi Geri - front jump kick
Mikazuki Geri - crescent kick
Nidan Geri - flying front kick / double kick
Sokuto Fumikomi Geri - 'foot edge' / outer stamping kick
Yoko Geri Keage - side snap kick
Yoko Kekome Geri - side thrust kick
Yoko Tobi Geri - side jump kick

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