Karate Foot Techniques – Japanese Terms

“Ashi” means foot in Japanese, and “Geri” (sometimes also spelled “Keri”) means kick.

FOOT TECHNIQUES / KICKING – ASHI WAZA

Ashi baraiFoot sweep
Fumikomi geriHeel stamping kick
Hiza geriKnee kick
Kansetsu geriKnee joint kick
Keri (Geri)Kick
Kakato geriHeel of foot kick
Kin geriGroin kick (Haisoku, instep)
Mae geri (Keage)Front kick (snap)
Mae geri (Kekomi)Front kick (thrust)
Mae tobi geriJumping front kick
Mawashi geriRound house kick
Nidan geriDouble front snap kick (Back leg first)
Ren geriDouble front snap kick (Front leg first)
Tsumasaki mae geriFront kick with tips of toes
Ura yoko geriSpinning side kick
Ushiro geriBack thrust kick
Yoko geri (Keage)Side snap kick
Yoko geri (Kekomi)Side thrust kick
Yoko tobi geriJumping side kick

PARTS OF THE FOOT

HaisokuInstep
HizaKnee
JosokuteiBall of the foot
KakatoHeel of the foot
SokutoFoot edge
TsumasakiTip of the toes