Karate foot so thoroughly trained that in every karate kick, it doubles the scope and effectiveness of one fighting repertoire.

Karate foot, the supporting leg must be firmly planted on the ground without loss of balance when executing the karate kick. It must be capable of bearing the weight of the body, plus the momentum and shock of the attack. The knee should be bent and the karate foot should be flat on the ground always ready for defense, attack or counter-attack with a karate kick.

BALANCE as taught in most martial art school must be maintained whether in preparatory, defense or attack position.

The karate foot (kicking leg) should be withdrawn sharply and smoothly immediately after impact so that a strong stance can be resumed in preparation for the next maneuver.

Karate kick

1. Front kick (mae-geri) - the striking surface of the karate foot is the ball of the foot.
   
   Pull up the knee and then snap the lower leg with foot toward the target. Pull back the foot and smoothly lower the foot before moving into the next fighting stance.
   
   While performing this kick avoid the mistake of raising the shoulders, pushing the head forward and buttocks backward.
    
2. Side kick (yoko-geri) - this karate foot technique uses the edge of the heel as the striking surface. There are two side kicks and both forms of kick can be performed from any fighting stance.
   
   Snap kick - raise the knee, point it diagonally sideways and then snap the foot upward toward the target. In this kick, the karate foot travels in an arc.
   
   Thrust kick - raise the knee straight and then push the foot sideways toward the target. Here the karate foot travels in a straight line.
   
   Avoid bending the body too far in the opposite direction as this weakens the balance and the strength of the attack.
    
3. Back kick (ushiro-geri) - the striking surface of the karate foot is the heel. There are two independent forms of back kick - snap and thrust kicks. At preparatory positions; knee raised toward the chest, the foot bent upward and the supporting leg bent.
   
   Back snap kick - sharply swing the thigh to the rear and strike the target; groin or the stomach.
   
   Back thrust kick push the heel to the target in a straight line and the target in this case being the stomach, solar plexus or face.
   
   Keep your eyes on the target and avoid leaning too far forward. Kick with maximum power with your karate foot and be sure to kick straight to the rear and not diagonally.
    
4. Round house kick (mawashi-geri) - swing the hips in tandem with the snap of the knee and this made powerful karate foot technique.
   
   Bend the knee of the kicking leg and raise it to the side. Then swing the hips and snap the knee forward striking the target with the ball of the foot. Snap the leg back to the preparatory position before moving into a new fighting stance.
   
   Avoid bending the body too far away from the kick and the hips swing too far, as this jeopardizes the balance and the kick difficult.
    
5. Stamping kick (fumicomi) - can be used in the front, back, or sides kick and opponent's target usually the knee, shin or instep.
   
   Pull the knee toward the chest and then thrust the karate foot downward in a straight line to the target. In front and rear stamping, the heel is the usual striking surface where as in side stamping, the edge of the foot is the striking surface.

Here are two of the most common defensive uses of the karate foot to block an incoming attack.

1. Crescent kick block (mikazuki-geri-uke) - the striking surface is the sole of the karate foot.
   
   To parry an oncoming attack in front of the body; bend the leg slightly at the knee, raise it and then swing it with a swivel-like movement of the hips, focusing on the oncoming attack with the toes pointing straight upward. Withdraw the leg and resume a strong position to counter-attack.
    
2. Inside snap block (nami-ashi) - this is a very fast karate foot technique: only the blocking leg is moved and the body weight should not be shifted.
   
   To parry an attack to the groin or to move a leg out of range from a stamping kick; from straddle stance, simply kick the sole of the foot inward and upward in front of the body, using the hip muscles to give the movement it’s snap.

In a defensive stance, blocking with the karate foot has the advantage of leaving the hands free. However, you are momentarily on one leg and so your balance must be very secure.

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