How to Practice Karate Kicks

Many karate students have difficulty learning kicks like the round kick or the side kick. Instead of pivoting on their standing foot, they twist from the knee, which not only causes an incorrect technique but also may result in injury. Learning the correct way to kick requires breaking the movement into two parts. Follow these steps to find out how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Pivoting Practice

1. Begin in the fighting stance with the left foot in front and fists in the guard position. Your left fist should be higher and in front.
2. Push off with the right leg, bringing the right knee in front of the chest and as high as possible.
3. Pivot on the ball of the left foot until both the foot and the body are turned 90 degrees to the left. Change guard to right fist in front.
4. Without returning to the starting position, set the right foot down with toes facing forward. Then repeat steps 2 and 3 with the left foot.
5. Continue moving across the floor, pivoting on the standing foot and raising the kicking foot until these movements are fluid and feel natural.

Pivot and Return

6. Begin in the fighting stance with the left foot in front and fists in the guard position, left fist higher and in front.
7. Push off with the right leg, bringing the right knee in front of the chest and as high as possible.
8. At the same time, pivot on the ball of the left foot until both the foot and the body are turned 90 degrees to the left. Change guard to right fist in front.
9. Instead of setting the right foot down in, return the foot to its original position. To do this, pivot on the standing foot again until both the toes and the body are again facing forward. Change guard again.
10. Continue pivoting on the left foot each time raising the right knee until these movements are fluid and feel natural. Then change starting position and practice pivoting on the right foot and raising the left knee.

Adding the Kick

11. Begin in the fighting stance with the left foot in front and fists in the guard position. Your left fist should be higher and in front. This time, imagine an opponent is facing you just out of arm's reach.
12. Push off with the right leg, bringing the right knee in front of the chest and as high as possible.
13. At the same time, pivot on the ball of the left foot until both the foot and the body are turned 90 degrees to the left. Change guard to right fist in front.
14. Without changing the body position, extend the right leg. Ensure that the right foot's ultimate position is in line with your hips; don't allow it to swing around to the front of the body. Remember the position of the imaginary opponent.

Tips & Warnings

• When beginning this exercise, the ball of the foot may become sore from friction with the floor. Do not perform this exercise for extended periods until the skin thickens.
• For a round kick, swing the foot in an arc. For a side kick, thrust the foot straight out.
• More advanced kicks such as back kicks and hook kicks require that the standing foot pivot more than ninety degrees. It is best not to attempt these kicks until you have mastered the round kick and side kick.
• Before beginning this exercise, ensure that your foot will pivot easily on the practice surface. Most shoes are unsuitable for this exercise and will need to be removed.