Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri Shotokan Exercise Using Three Different Distances

Video at the bottom of this article.

1. Both karateka start from left fighting stance.
2. First person kick three left leg mae ashi mawashi geri, be sure to touch the target and try not to let the arms move out from the body.
3. Second person kick three left leg mae ashi mawashi geri, be sure to touch the target and try not to let the arms move out from the body.
4. First person kick three with left leg, after each kick land and execute gyaku zuki (reverse punch).
5. Second person kick three with the left leg, after each kick land and execute gyaku zuki (reverse punch).
6. Now at medium range, first person, lift the front kicking leg and drive off the right supporting leg, into the target with a left mae ashi mawashi geri, repeat three times.
7. Now at medium range, the second person, lift the front kicking leg and drive off the right supporting leg, into the target with a left kick, repeat three times.
8. Now at medium range, first person, lift the front kicking leg and drive off the right supporting leg, into the target with a left kick, after each kick land and execute gyaku zuki (reverse punch), repeat three times.
9. Now at medium range, second person, lift the front kicking leg and drive off the right supporting leg, into the target with a left kick, after each kick land and execute gyaku zuki (reverse punch), repeat three times.
10. Now at long range, first person, executes Sugi Ashi mawashi geri (skip the back foot up to the front foot, then the front foot kicks the target with a left kick), after each kick shuffle back to the starting position. Repeat three times.
11. Now at long range, second person, executes Sugi Ashi mawashi geri (skip the back foot up to the front foot, then the front foot kicks the target with a left mae ashi mawashi geri), after each kick shuffle back to the starting position. Repeat three times.
12. Now at long range, first person, executes Sugi Ashi mawashi geri (skip the back foot up to the front foot, then the front foot kicks the target with a left mae ashi mawashi geri), after each kick land and execute gyaku zuki (reverse punch), then shuffle back to the starting position. Repeat three times.
13. Now at long range, second person, executes Sugi Ashi mawashi geri (skip the back foot up to the front foot, then the front foot kicks the target with a left kick), after each kick land and execute gyaku zuki (reverse punch), then shuffle back to the starting position. Repeat three times.
14. Repeat 1. through 13. with the opposite kicking leg.

This kick is very difficult and they do not have to be high, in fact they are much more effective to the groin, inner thigh and knee height. Sometimes we kick higher just for the challenge.

Try not to telegraph before the technique, think to yourself, if you give any sign, you will get hit or your opponent will be gone.

Mae Ashi Mawashi Geri Video

We hope you have found this kicking tutorial useful. Start slowly, try not to telegraph, then gradually build up the speed and power. These are not the strongest kicks as you are kicking with the front leg, but what they lack in power, they make up for in surprise. Catching someone with a technique they do not see or expect sometimes creates what we call a ‘Shock Hit‘.

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