Very expertly executed. I've also seen it taught with leg rotation to get the foot in the correct position at the apex of the kick as otherwise it relies very heavily on ankle flexibility. I've always had a problem with explaining a convincing practical use for this kick, which is a problem as its used so extensively in so many Shotokan kata. Never practiced in sparring, most conclude that its for self-defence, perhaps snapping to the groin like a sideways kin-geri but with the sokuto providing more chance of hitting the target. Other say its to strike an opponent's chin or perhaps snap it into the throat. I'm not convinced any of these are realistic in the fray of self defence combat. Perhaps its simply there as a training kick from which we can gain practice in certain body mechanics. I'd be interested in your take on this.
I learnt it many years ago ,and somehow through flexibility I could do it face on to opponent. Almost like a inside mawashi geri. I think the closest I have seen it to how I do it ,is in the Billy jack u tube clip ) Billy jack kicks Posner ) .Jodan keage was my fav kick in 8 years of shotokan .I surprised many guys with it ,even 6.4" guys ,and I am 5.8" .Also can still do it ,high hard and fast at 80 years old .
Excellent demonstration of yoko geri keage. As usual your command of techniques and ability to explain complex physical manipulations is a true gift to us shotokan karate students, Thank you so much ! From Maine, USA Oss !
I was struggling to understand before watching this video and now I have comprehended the idea. Hopefully, after practising for few weeks, I will be able to perform better.
Fantástico! Thank you very much, I am learning yoko geri and english at the same time. I am an old lady and found this very useful. Greets from Lima Perú.
Only people kicking air agree with this…. This is a clear example of how not to kick. You never ever kick anything with the smallest metatarsal in the foot. What to break your foot… kick something hard Heck just try kicking a heavy bag this way… end of story … This kick to be effective has to use the heel… just like the kekomi
Yes, sidekick should only be done witht the heel. Yet, why even bother with Keage when Kekomi to the ribs or the knee cap works way more effective and more natural. The entire mechanic of this kick goes against body mechanic, the knees are designed to push straight in and out, not swivel side way. Dunno why alot of Karate schools insisting on teaching this
@@jaketheasianguy3307 i use whole outside edge of foot,and only aim for side of face.When I have shoes on I can kick a door frame hard and high .Its good self defence against a unknowing attacker.
Excellent break down of this technique. Not my favorite of the kicks from a combat prospective but still important to have the basics correct. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Is it wrong to turn the foot you're standing on? It looks like your foot position stays "parallel". If I don't turn my foot, it feels anatomically impossible within my hip to do the kick 🙈 Would love to hear your opinion on this!
Most places that train this kick has no clue what's the purpose of this kick either. It was explained that it's like your typical front snap kick to the groin and this one is going to the groin too, but to an enemy from your side of the body. Yet, why bother when a sidekick with a turning hip and with the heel straight down to the knee cap is way more effective than trying to hit the groin from the side, it makes no sense
Back from a 30+ years hiatus. I used to be in SKIF. Met S. Kanazawa once. I wondered what I did wrong, I *think* I'm remembering how to kick, the problem is I can't seem to hit with the side of me feet, it's always tilted. I have to really twist my foot to kick with the side and even then it's not right.
Most likely you are lifting with the wrong muscles, i.e., the muscles at the front of the leg rather than the side. Try just lifting your leg out to the side to get the feel for the muscles needed.
Great video but this kick is still my least favourite of all kicks. It's the most unnatural of all to do in my opinion, if you are kicking above groin level. In Funakoshi's first book Karate Do Kyohan published about 1930, he says this kick is intended as a groin kick to someone attacking from the side. I'm happy with that but any higher, and I can't see how it would be effective.
I agree: It is one of my least favourite techniques in general. But it serves a purpose of training the body and developing sets of muscles that we might not do otherwise. I have a broader definition of self-defence as being looking after yourself - so training to maximise range of motion to minimise risk of injury qualifies as self-defence. For example, falling off a bike uninjured because of the strength, suppleness and reflexes from training qualifies as “self-defence”. Therefore, all techniques that develop any of these skills are useful - even if we don’t like them. 😂
I trained for 8 years ,and could do it face on ( still can) when you do it face on even if you miss ,it startles your opennent as he suddenly finds your foot in his face and he staggers back .I then followed up with a fast yakazuki while he is unbalanced.
One question, Sensei, I always have problems keeping my balance on one foot when practicing kicks. Is it possible to train this and which exercises are the best?
Balance is a complicated thing, as there are many factors involved, from inner ear and sight to centre of gravity, core strength, leg strength, joints and breathing. I will try to make a video in the near future to cover most of the issues relating to balance.
Your kick is very good. What about us for who this kick is devastatingly difficult. I have practised this almost every night holding the wall for balance. Either way Im extrely stiff (which Im not in many other kicks) or I just dont understand the technique. Im not the only one having troubles with this kick. I pull the knee up pointing to the side, and try to keep toes pointing forward (even thou this feels kind of akward and wrong), then I tilt my hips and I just cant straighten the foot (may at knee level but not higher). Our senseis some told to turn the pelvis to make the kick more easy/natural. hip joint can only move certain ankle before it hits the other bone and ankleling the hips may help in this.. I can kick maegeri easily to jordan, kekomi between chudan and jodan level but this kick barely to knee level and even that feels like totally against bodys natural way to move. I dont know what to do anymore to make this kick like it should be. I know they kick this kick in in other karate styles like gjo ryu with side maegeri which feels more natural movement but in Shotokan I dont think there is a kick like that. Sometimes it feels like better just to give up since this kick feels impossible to commit.. maybe its my stiffness that prevents me to do this kick but at the same time I can do other kicks well.
I do it by bringing my left knee up across my waist and then snapping it high in a arc to the left .I can do it to the opponent in front of me right side of head.If I have shoes on and do it to say a wall I can get a pretty hard kick in . I used it a lot in 8 years of kumite and it used to really surprise the other guy when my foot appeared in his face .lol ( yes I was shotokan ) 1st kyu.
@@John-ob7dh Thank you. My sensei told that the hips can turn a bit to make the kick easier. Im starting to understand the mechanics of the kick but there is a lot work to do. What you mean you were a shotokan? I mean you are still karateka. Or did you mean you were Shotokan 1st kyu when fighting in kumite. On the other hand I dont think you were 8 years 1st kyu, lol.
@@bogse yes I did shotokan 1972 to 1980 ( graded by sensie Enoeda R.I.P ) I did not grade often and had bad arm injury on my 3rd Brown belt which forced me to stop in 1980 .But I still use my makiwara post and weights and stretch .I am 81.
Thank you Seamus Sensei for an excellent lesson in how to correctly execute side snap kick. I also appreciated the Health & Safety aspect of protecting one's knees.