Ushiro geri¶

Name¶

Romaji:
Ushiro geri

Japanese:
後ろ蹴り

English:
Back kick

Terminology¶

Ushiro indicates backward direction.

Sequence position¶

Block:
Heikō-dachi

Placement in the sequence:
Technique 29

Preceded by:
Kansetsu geri

Followed by:
Mawashi geri

Starting position¶

Heikō-dachi, hands held at the front on the obi.

Commands¶

Follows in the same kicking block.

Count¶

Trained in the second part of the kicking block.

Kiai¶

According to the count of the kicking section.

Execution¶

The gaze and the body’s orientation secure the backward direction. The knee is first drawn in and the leg is then driven straight backward along a clean line.

Technical key points¶

clear backward-directed line
the knee must first be chambered
the body must not turn the kick away
control in the return

Common errors¶

circular rather than straight path
no clear knee lift
lost orientation
weak retraction

Purpose¶

To train the straight back kick with direction and body control.

Relation to further training¶

Idō Geiko: Carried forward as a backward-directed kick in movement.

Kata: Backward leg line with structure.

Kumite: Foundation for a straight back kick with penetration.