Topic: Yoko geri Keage

[jonsey]

hi!

this is a technique im a bit confused on - want to try and clarify the mechaniques before i spend to much time doing it wrong

as i understand it there are two versions of the side kick - yoko geri kekomi and yoko geri keage which can be preformed from kibba dachi

again as i understand it

yoko geri kekomi - this kick is a side thrust kick, the knew comes out and the leg is "pushed" in a straight line towards the oponent with the energi traveling straight from the hip down through the leg and out through the heel into your target - the leg does not come back but you go straight back into stance. is this understanding correct?

now the one im mainly confused on is the keage

is this kick

1) the same mechanics as kekomi - but the kick is more of a snap rather than a thrust - the leg snaps out with speed and then snaps back to the original position before loweing back to stance
2) more of a mawashi geri type of kick, but straight from the front leg and without the hips circling around - i.e. the leg comes up a little bit offset from the target and the leg then snaps out in a similar manner to mawashi geri
3) none of the above?

[ManonPiws]

Kekomi:
The leg should come back after the kick becuase otherwise you'll just be plonking back into stance. Plus if you do this, it's very very easy for someone to sweep you since you don't have control of your leg.

Keagi:
The leg comes out in more of a 'scooping' motion. Use your hips as a spring.
1) Correct
2) What? :S I really don't undertand what you're saying here!

[jonsey]

cheers for the answer

and as for 2) dont worry i get that a lot 

[Emma]

2) more of a mawashi geri type of kick, but straight from the front leg and without the hips circling around - i.e. the leg comes up a little bit offset from the target and the leg then snaps out in a similar manner to mawashi geri

I understand exactly what you're trying to say,I do it like that sometimes,bad news jonsey we're not supposed to do it like that,that's not a Keage.

[B&D]

my view is that kekomi ia a side kick, your foot going forward from the hip. keagi is your foot is a forward and upward strike hence kawazoe using the underarm of partner to practice with. anybody with an easier description. when practicing the 2 kicks at home the kekomi kicks the target forward where as the keagi kicks the target upwards.

[jonsey]

if its going upwards - do you twist the foot around so its like a mae geri but sideways - otherwise it would be a most difficult and unatural movement which will be very difficult to get any power in imo?

[B&D]

if its going upwards - do you twist the foot around so its like a mae geri but sideways - otherwise it would be a most difficult and unatural movement which will be very difficult to get any power in imo?

I believe it is as you say, you us the outside of the foot to hit your target wheras you use heel in the kekomi, my kids found it difficult to know the difference until I used a stick to show the difference_ stick vertical in kekomi ready to be kicked forward_ stick horizontal above stomache level for keagi ready to be kicked upwards. I'll show you on Monday, i'll bring my stick.

[jonsey]

excelent!!! but no hitting me with it

[JimmyTheHoover]

Totally different body mechanics for Keage (at least in the delivery of the actual kick - steps 1) - 3) below are same for both kicks) - strangely enough I spent some time teaching this today so here goes.

Assuming as mentioned starting in KIba-Dachi miviing to kick with right leg try the following as an exercise in breaking down the kicking action.

1) Keep hips down as you step over from Kiba-Dachi trying not to come up - if anything apply more pressure down into the floor as you land the left leg with knee bent.

2) Keep left leg bent and raise the right knee above your belt - pointing it towards the target at an angle of about 45 degrees.

3) Keeping the supporting leg flexed push the right hip towards the target using your pelvic muscles - not the supporting leg.

4) Using the muscles of the right leg extend the kicking foot to strike target with Sokuto/outer-edge.

5) Now using the muscles of the left leg and pelvis simultaneously - retract the kicking leg and right hip - while keeping the knee high.

6) Flex the left/supporting leg again and step down into Kiba-Dachi in a controlled manner.

Some think that Keage is not very powerful - it is and if your's is not then it's because of poor technique or using it at the wrong range.

Keage is a pretty short range kick - think close up attacks to knee/groin/ribs - no need to overextend the kick.

The key part is the "pendulum" action your hips should follow which adds body mass movement which is added to the snapping action of the striking foot - very like Mae-Geri Keage except in a different (and much more difficult) plane of movement.

Hope this helps (and makes some sense)

Jim

[jonsey]

indeed it does thank you

[JimmyTheHoover]

indeed it does thank you

Let me know if it works for you 

[jonsey]

it reads like i was first trying to do - all im going to say is it bloody well hurts atm lol so i guess i need to get my flexibility back.

[JimmyTheHoover]

Best practices slowly at first - works all the muscles properly and will stop you overextending and hurting joints etc.

Also helps develop a strong supporting leg and good balance.

I actually taught this sequence to the class today (Saturday Morning)  - to a slow count - and then moved on and did the first few moves of Heian Nidan - through to the Shuto after the Keage in this manner - very slowly breaking EVERY movement/technique down into two or three counts - great workout and everyones kick improved... much harder to kick slowly....

Jim

[Moley]

Any nearer now Jonsey ?

[Liam]

Check this out Jonsey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d270SF2sNU