Yoko geri

Keage (蹴上げ)


Keage means snap kick or rising kick.

• Motion: fast upward snap, like a whip.

• Target: usually ribs, jaw, or under the arm.

• Power: comes from speed, not penetration.

• Impact: quick, sharp snap with the edge of the foot.

• Body use: minimal hip rotation, the leg accelerates and recoils immediately.




Purpose: speed, surprise, and creating an opening.







Yoko geri (横蹴り)







Yoko geri means side kick (general term).

It comes in two classic forms:



Yoko geri keage – snapping side kick (rare, same family as above).
Yoko geri kekomi (蹴込み) – thrusting side kick.







When people say yoko geri they almost always mean kekomi, the thrusting one.







Yoko geri kekomi







• Motion: driving thrust straight into the opponent.

• Target: ribs, solar plexus, hip, knee.

• Power: hip rotation and full body weight.

• Impact: heel pushes through the target.

• Body use: chamber, extend, and push through.




Purpose: stopping power, breaking structure, creating distance.