Uchi-Mika-Tsuki-Geri

- 1 min read

Mika-Tsuki-Geri is the inside crescent kick of Karate. It gets its force by swinging the leg. Great in sport Kumite, it’s just better to stick to a Mawashi-Geri in full-contact as it inflicts more damage for the same effort. In self-defense, as any round kick, it’s best avoided, but could be better compared to other round kick because it doesn’t require movement of the back foot.

Traditional execution:

  • Get in Heiko Dachi
  • Bend your leg by 90°
  • Extend the kick to the outside to bring it to the inside
  • Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
  • While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Mika-Tsuki-Geri)

Variations:

  • There’s a variation that gets the leg to go to the outside insead of the inside (Sotu-Mika-Tsuki-Geri).

Kumite execution:

  • Get in Kumite no Kamae and bounce a little
  • Bend your leg by 90°
  • Extend the kick to the outside to bring it to the inside
  • Kiai! if you are competing in point sparring

Kekomi adjustements:

  • Don’t snap your leg back

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

  • Sport Kumite: âś…
  • Full-Contact Kumite: 🟨
  • Self-Defense: 🟨

Video examples: