Ushiro Geri - Back Kick

Overview

The back kick is a valuable self-defense technique to use if you get grabbed from behind, in which case, you will most likely want to use it against an attacker's shin or groin. It's also useful in sparring if you find yourself with your back to your opponent because your motion (perhaps from a round kick) turns you around, or because a strong block to your leg has spun you around. The kick can be done at long range (as shown here), or in close. It's very powerful, and because of the target areas, it can be devastating if done with the intent to hurt.

Used in these katas

None to black belt

Technique

Start in parallel stance with your guard in front of you, or for greater challenbe start with your feet together. Lift your right foot to your left knee and look behind you over your right shoulder. Kick your right foot backwards so that it brushes past your left knee. As your foot carries on out, your right knee should also brush against your left knee. These two checkpoints ensure that your foot extends out directly behind you rather that drifting out to the side. Strike your target with the ball of your heel and then immediately return your foot to your knee, brushing your right knee and foot against the other knee on the way back. Put your foot back on the floor and look back to the front. At the moment of impact, your toes should be facing down towards the ground.

Although most people hold their hands in a standard guard during this kick, some people will tell you to extend your kick-side arm out in time with your leg, whilst dropping the other hand to a guard position in front of your groin.

Common mistakes to avoid

Under no circumstances should you turn your hips at any.stage during this kick. If you do, it will rotate your kicking foot to a 45 degree or even side position that spreads your force over a wider area. It still has power, but lacks focus.

Similarly, if you try to kick too far behind you, it will turn your foot in the same way.

Ensure that your heel drives in a straight line from your other knee to the target. Some people kick out low, then do a kind of hoofing action that rises the heel up under the target. Delivered to the groin, this is a valid kick, but it's not the one that you are learning.

Ensure that you strike to the middle of your body, not out to the sides.

Be sure to look. How can you kick when you don't know where the target is?