How to Do a Front Kick in Karate

You need not have the lightning quickness of Bruce Lee, the stealthiness of a ninja or the grappling and striking power of today's mixed-martial-arts champions to master one of martial arts' most basic and effective techniques, the front kick.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin in a comfortable, staggered fighting stance with dominant leg back. Keep arms and hands up in a defensive posture, knees flexed, weight balanced. Stay limber and ready to strike.

2. Focus on the intended target area. Pivot slightly on the ball of your lead foot, squaring your upper body to the target while simultaneously raising your knee up to your chest. Always remember to keep your arms/hands positioned in a protective manner, as squaring your body makes you vulnerable to frontal attack.

3. Extend your leg outward from the knee toward intended target area, thrusting your hips toward the target. As your leg begins to reach full extension, allow your "plant" foot to pivot further outward on the ball of the foot to create more extension and power in the kick.

4. Strike the target with the ball of your foot, keeping toes curled back, plant leg flexed and arms in a protective defensive position.

5. Retract your leg at the knee, pivoting inward with the ball of the lead foot to its original direction. Return striking leg to starting position (balanced, limber fighting stance). Alternatively, complete the movement by setting the kicking leg down in front and adopting a fighting stance opposite the one you started in.

Tips & Warnings

• These steps can be broken down and practiced individually to ensure proper technique and balance, but ultimately should occur fluidly and rapidly. There are variations to the front kick in terms of kinesthetics and technique (snap, push or thrust), striking area of foot (ball of foot or bottom of foot) and desired placement of kick into opponent (legs, torso or head). Type of front kick is largely determined by desired function, type of footwear (if any) and environmental circumstances of fighting scenario. The front kick is utilized less as a knockout technique, but as a means by which to create distance between you and your opponent, or as a setup maneuver for more powerful, debilitating attacks. The front kick is not only an attack maneuver; it is also a powerful quick-strike defensive maneuver that allows for distance creation and escape from a dangerous situation. Front kicks (in all variations) can be thrown using either front or rear leg. Jumping front kicks add power and surprise. They can also be completed using either lead or rear leg. Although front kicks can be landed with the heel of the foot, it is recommended to use the ball of the foot in most cases (both for safety of your foot and overall power).
• Make sure you are properly stretched for this technique; it's possible to pull or tear a hamstring or damage knees, hips or ankles. Novices should begin by aiming for lower targets. Simulate a strike to the shin or knee of an opponent. As you become more skilled and flexible, begin practicing higher strikes and incorporating jumps into the maneuver. Always maintain a defensive hands-up posture before, during and after completion of the maneuver.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!