Problems with Ushiro Geri.

[Harkon72]

My Kicking Combination for my grading in 2 weeks is Ushiro Geri, Mwashi Geri.

As I don't have the flexibility of a twenty year old anymore, I find the combination into the air very difficult at any height. My Sensei has tried everything with me; giving me a water bottle to hold in my hands so I keep my guard in nice and tight, the best results happened when I had my eyes shut; then I was not distracted and my turn into the back kick was better.

The most problems I am having occur when I do the Ushiro Geri into the Kick Shield; the problem is that I'm still doing it as I did in my old style. I step across, then tun into the kick and fire it as I return into the front stance again. As my present Sensei has demonstrated, this form is not correct for efficiency and power. You must spin into the kick and fire it, snap it off with a chamber before setting your foot down all in one motion. I'm going for 4th Kyu! I must be able to do this by now! But my sensei feels that I am over analyzing the technique and I should relax and let it flow. My worry is that my previous practice in the other style is holding me back. I have two weeks before the test, I have two training sessions and a private session with Sensei next week.

Any advice guys?

[mal103]

Tricky kick, I have been taught that its better to look over your shoulder to see where the kick is aiming, then I have been taught that looking takes too long and just kick!

My best method is to get the hips quickly into position FIRST before kicking, start with a narrow stance so you can quickly twist the hips into line. This in time will come one movement.

[Harkon72]

Yes, thanks Mal, I think it's a strange kick anyway; why would you turn away before kicking? Why would you execute it to the front? It is designed to kick behind you surely. The self defense situation where you have multiple opponents is where it makes most sense.

[mal103]

I thought similar until it got quicker, with speed the kick can come out of nowhere! With a bit more flexibility it can be aimed at head height.

I have a set of DVDs from Frank Brennan and his backkick is lightning fast, the opponent/attacker would not have time to blink!

Think of someone coming at you with fists flying (or about to fly), turning your head away from the blows while delivering a killer kick to their midsection or even head is a very good position to be.

I've used it in Kumite several times and nearly always hit the opponent, although have to be careful as it can be very damaging, especially if slightly lower than normal...

[DWx]

Yes, thanks Mal, I think it's a strange kick anyway; why would you turn away before kicking? Why would you execute it to the front? It is designed to kick behind you surely. The self defense situation where you have multiple opponents is where it makes most sense.

Think of it as a defensive kick and not so much an agressive offensive kick. I know it's not exactly the same but this is one of the core kicks used in Taekwondo. Useful when re-establishing distance, someone's running on to you, you want to check their movement etc.

Again probably not identical in execution but some very good tutorials here which walk you through each step of learning which you can modify to suit your Karate:

Part 1

Part 2

[Harkon72]

Thank You! The chambering is different in our style, but it's good to see these videos and the tutor is very clear and informative. I'll see what I can do over the next two weeks. Osu!

[sensei8]

Treat that combination in two parts because they are two separate kicks; don't rush them. Allow the first kick to end before starting the second kick. Speed will come later because speed isn't important, however, proper execution is!!

Hang in there and train hard!!

[Wastelander]

With the turning back kick, I find that people have a tendency to try to spin (hence many calling it a "spinning back kicK". When someone who is good at it executes the technique, it looks as though they are simply spinning in place and snapping out the kick. When you break it down, though, what is typically happening is that they turn to face the opposite direction, then fire the kick, then complete the turn so they face the front again.

A good way to break it down is this: from your fighting stance pivot 180 degrees into a cat stance facing away from your target, then fire your now-leading leg behind you with a back kick, then turn your body the rest of the way around so you are facing the front again. If you try to go straight into a spin, it's very difficult, but I have found that breaking it down like this is very helpful. Once you have a feel for it, you can build up speed.

[brickshooter]

IMO, the first thing that people should do is take the word "spinning" out of this kick. Instead call it a turn. Then kick like a mule. Literally kick like a mule, with the kicking foot almost brushing against the supporting leg before extension.

Then think "linear" even though there's a lot of turning. When executing a right back kick, think as though one is going to hit the target with the right buttock. This should transfer the body weight. Then it follows with the actual kick. I generally also avoid the word "chamber" because people tend to pull their leg up like a side kick.

Anyways, the motion is like putting one's back against a door. Then picking up one foot and kicking through the door at shin level.

Anyways, this is how I learned it.

[ninjanurse]

Yes, back kick is not a "spinning" kick-it must be delivered in a straight motion otherwise energy is wasted and poorly directed. I teach both a "mule" kick-like brickshooter describes-which is totally defensive.....and a more traditional kick where you look over your shoulder at the target and land your kicking foot in front keeping your momentum going towards the opponent. The key to both is keeping your body centered over your base leg and turning on a axis like you are kabob not a spinning top. Same principal applies to wheel kick (reverse round house, spinning hook kick, whatever you call it in your style).