Wobbly mawashi geri

[Sibylla]

Before I started shotokan I used to do the TKD-like mawashi, with knee up in front, sharp hiptwist, hit with the instep. Now that I am supposed to lift my knee to the side and hit with the ball of my foot, I am having problems. The kick is slooow...especially when I pull the leg back..and I wobble.

 

I've noticed that the shotokanpractioners seem to have the upper body and hip aligned differently than for instance, the TKD-ist doing the kick. I guess I am asking about a description of which bodyparts I should focus on, how far I should turn my hips and the role of the upperbody in the kick..and how, exactly, how to pull the leg fast back into zenkutsu dachi, without wobbling.

 

Any tips will be appreciated.

 

Hope you understand what I mean, english is not my native tounge.

[Sho-ju]

Just practise. That's all. I like bring the knee up in front, if I were you I wouldn't forget that one. In shotokan it's about fitting the mold and that takes time.

[Darce]

As he said, practise a lot. Kick the hell out of every tree you see´.

[Killer Miller]

Mawashi Geri is not that difficult to learn. However, there are a couple of mental concepts to keep in mind.

 

When you are going to start and end from Zenkutsu Dachi, the body must be straight and supporting knee kept bent. The supporting foot does not pivot when kicking - unlike other styles.

 

When executing a Mawashi Geri, think of this process.

 

1. Hip drives knee to the target through lower diaphragm contraction - generating good starting speed.

 

2. When knee is in target alignment, foot goes out to target - with relaxed tension.

 

3. Foot quickly returns all the way back to Zenkutsu Dachi.

 

The keys to this simple process is not to think as to how fast and powerful you can send the foot itself outward, but how fast you can bring your foot back to Zenkutsu Dachi once the foot has reached the target or focal point.

 

Secondly, although the foot goes out with relaxed tension, the initial contraction from the lower diaphragm, or exhalation, is one continuous contraction from the start of Zenkutsu Dachi, though the kick, and back to Zenkutsu Dachi. Like snapping a towel and bringing the towel back to the exact starting point - or a backhand strike (same principle).

 

So think of how fast you can pull that foot back to Zenkutsu Dachi when you do this. You must end up with some tension (outside tension on the knees) at the end of the kick or you will be very unstable and "wobbly" when you return back to Zenkutsu Dachi.

 

Hope that helps...

 

- Killer Miller -

[Jussi Häkkinen]

Mawashi Geri is not that difficult to learn. However, there are a couple of mental concepts to keep in mind.

 

When you are going to start and end from Zenkutsu Dachi, the body must be straight and supporting knee kept bent. The supporting foot does not pivot when kicking - unlike other styles.

 

Since WHEN has Shotokan quit turning the supporting foot while kicking mawashi geri? Certainly hasn't been a JKA way elsewhere...just another piece of Nishinformation, maybe?

 

I think that people at https://www.24fightingchickens.com forum might find your idea...well, at least interesting. I do too.

[Killer Miller]

I was referring to when starting and returning from Zenkutsu Dachi - no you do not pivot the foot, it's all one action. Yes, that's the JKA way. And although the 24 fighting chickens has some great stuff and I have a great amount of respect for that group, they're not necessarily correct in everything - or perhaps incorrectly explained for the situation, or mis-interpreted by the reader. There are some differences in opinions on some things they practice versus other similar groups - but are usually minor in nature though.

 

Now, however, if learning basic Mawashi Geri, and/or your momentum is going to go forward after the kick, instead of returning back to Zenkutsu Dachi, then yes the foot does pivot when executing Mawashi Geri. And I probably should have clairified that point... Basic Mawashi Geri does teach that the foot pivots forward and back regardless of where you end up, but real time Mawashi Geri is a whole-nother story. But good point for clarification that you brought that up.

 

- Killer Miller -

 

 

Mawashi Geri is not that difficult to learn. However, there are a couple of mental concepts to keep in mind.

 

When you are going to start and end from Zenkutsu Dachi, the body must be straight and supporting knee kept bent. The supporting foot does not pivot when kicking - unlike other styles.

 

Since WHEN has Shotokan quit turning the supporting foot while kicking mawashi geri? Certainly hasn't been a JKA way elsewhere...just another piece of Nishinformation, maybe?

 

I think that people at https://www.24fightingchickens.com forum might find your idea...well, at least interesting. I do too.

[Sibylla]

Thanks for the advice, Miller, I'll use your mental concepts.

 

Regarding the turning of the supporting foot, we learn to do that...but personally I turn less than before to be able to return to zenkutsu dachi, maintaining the proper knee lift/direction.

[Jussi Häkkinen]

Ah, so you pivot the foot while kicking, not before kicking. Hmm, do some people actually pivot the foot before kicking...never ran into such style, really.

 

Great thing that you clarified it, Killer Miller. I actually had interesting knee surgery scenarios running in my mind.

[Darce]

[Sibylla]

Some people pivot/place their foot out before kicking, or at the same time as they lift the foot...which is wrong according to my instructor...