Ushiro Geri (Back Kick) - Part III
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As we explained before, the back kick is an extremely powerful technique. If you make a clean hit, you can knock out an opponent two or three times your size in one shot. This is possible because the back kick uses the power of the heel to deliver damage. For most students, learning to turn your body quickly and sharply is one of the most difficult parts of executing a back kick. In the last segment, we discussed how to practice turning smoothly and sharply. Now we'll discuss how to practice training with contact.
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- Begin by setting up the correct distance. Keep your knees bent at a position where you can touch the pad behind you. Look over your left shoulder to begin.
- Turn your head sharply over your right shoulder and look at the target. As you do, pull your right knee up and reserve power in your heel.
- Thrust your heel powerfully into the target. Make sure to strike with the heel.
After kicking, bring the foot back in the same way. Keep looking over your right shoulder and save power to kick with the left foot.
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- Repeat on the left side by sharply turning your head over your left shoulder and pull your left knee up close to reserve power.
- Thrust the heel powerfully into the target. Make sure to strike with the heel.
Points to Remember
• You need to learn the correct mawai (distance) for ushiro geri with your total body, not just in your head.
• Make sure to strike with the heel each time.
• After you start to feel comfortable practicing in this way, you can start practicing executing ushiro geri from kumite no tachi (fighting stance).
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- At this point, the receiving partner should not move. Set up your body in a good position.
- Starting with your head, spin your body sharply and look at the target. Pull the kicking leg up close to reserve power.
- Thrust the heel sharply into the target.
Important:
Because of the spinning movement involved in ushiro geri, its easy to miss the target when you begin training. The pad holder shouldn't trust the accuracy of the kicker. Always be ready for kicks that come too high or low or too much to the outside! Don't trust your partner 100%!
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Practice kicking with the left leg in the same way. Build up your ability with both legs.
Points to Remember
This kick takes a long time to learn. Practice diligently!
• After you begin to feel comfortable executing ushiro geri at a stationary target, the receiving partner can begin moving around more, like in a real fighting situation. As the receiver moves, they should give the signal for the kicking partner to attack.
• At this stage you can also work on kicking combinations with ushiro geri. For example: Mawashi geri, Ushiro geri, Hiza geri. Another example would be: Gedan Mawashi geri, Ushiro geri, Hiza geri.
After ushiro geri, execute one more technique in order to maintain good kamae.
- Most people find that they can kick better with their dominant leg. For example, right-handed people usually favor their right leg; they find it easier to kick powerfully with this leg. Take extra time to build up your weaker side.
- The pad holder should pay extra attention when their partner kicks with their weaker leg. It's easier for them to miss the target, and accidents can occur if you don't pay careful attention.
- The receiving partner should act as a coach, checking the kicker's form.
- Practice executing ushiro geri from kumite no tachi over and over. Learn it with your total body. Don't worry about ashi no hakobi (footwork) at this stage. Work to be able to execute ushiro geri smoothly and sharply.
- If you try to put too much power into the kick, your body will become stiff. Don't worry so much about power at this point. Work on getting the correct form and executing the kick sharply and smoothly.
This kick takes a long time to learn. Practice diligently!
• After you begin to feel comfortable executing ushiro geri at a stationary target, the receiving partner can begin moving around more, like in a real fighting situation. As the receiver moves, they should give the signal for the kicking partner to attack.
• At this stage you can also work on kicking combinations with ushiro geri. For example: Mawashi geri, Ushiro geri, Hiza geri. Another example would be: Gedan Mawashi geri, Ushiro geri, Hiza geri.
After ushiro geri, execute one more technique in order to maintain good kamae.