Mae-Geri is the front kick of Karate. It gathers is power from the swing os the leg in its Keage form, while gathering it froma back push in its Kekomi form instead. It’s a great kick both in its Kekomi and Keage form and its accepted universally in every Kumite ruleset. While kicks should be avoided in a street fight, its Kekomi form is great in self defense to put someone to the ground.

Traditional execution:

• Get in Heiko Dachi
• Bend your leg low to charge the kick
• Heighten your leg and extend it
• Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
• While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Mae-Geri)

Variations:

• There’s a variation that involves jumping by switching your legs and executing the kick in the air (Tobi-Mae-Geri). It shouldn’t be used in the street because of its elevated risk of falling.

Kumite execution:

• Get in Kumite no Kamae and bounce a little
• Charge your ckick by heightening the leg directly and the extend it
• Kiai! if you are competing in point sparring

Kekomi adjustements:

• Don’t snap your leg back
• Bend your back a litte to the outside and then push inside when extending

Where to use (✅ - Use; ❌ - Don’t use; 🟨 - Last resource):

• Sport Kumite: ✅
• Full-Contact Kumite: ✅
• Self-Defense: ✅ (Kekomi)

Video examples:

• Mae Geri
• mae tobi geri