Karate Foot Techniques – Japanese Terms

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

FOOT TECHNIQUES / KICKING – ASHI WAZA

Ashi barai Foot sweep
Fumikomi geri Heel stamping kick
Hiza geri Knee kick
Kansetsu geri Knee joint kick
Keri (Geri) Kick
Kakato geri Heel of foot kick
Kin geri Groin kick (Haisoku, instep)
Mae geri (Keage) Front kick (snap)
Mae geri (Kekomi) Front kick (thrust)
Mae tobi geri Jumping front kick
Mawashi geri Round house kick
Nidan geri Double front snap kick (Back leg first)
Ren geri Double front snap kick (Front leg first)
Tsumasaki mae geri Front kick with tips of toes
Ura yoko geri Spinning side kick
Ushiro geri Back thrust kick
Yoko geri (Keage) Side snap kick
Yoko geri (Kekomi) Side thrust kick
Yoko tobi geri Jumping side kick

PARTS OF THE FOOT

Haisoku Instep
Hiza Knee
Josokutei Ball of the foot
Kakato Heel of the foot
Sokuto Foot edge
Tsumasaki Tip of the toes