Ura-Mawashi-Geri is the hook kick of Karate. It gets its power by the leg swinging. While not being the strongest kick, is surely one of the coolest and my favorite to trick with. In Kumite, it’s a great kick both in its Kekomi and Keage form and its accepted universally in every Kumite ruleset. In self-defense, it’s not recommended because of its complicated nature and because of the risk of losing your balance.
Traditional execution:
- Get in Heiko Dachi
- Rotate your body by 90° while charging the leg by bending it orizzontally
- Extend before maximum rotation and rotate your back foot by 90° while moving your leg by -10°
- Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
- While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Ura-Mawashi-Geri)
Variations:
- There’s a variation that involves rotating your body by 180° instead of 90°, making it s rotsting kick (Ushiro-Ura-Mawashi-Geri). It’s a great kick in Kumite because of its acrobatic nature and the power added by the entire body rotation.
- There’s a variation that involves hitting with the heel of the foot instead of the ball (Ushi-Mawashi-Geri). It’s great in full-contact Kumite.
Kumite execution:
- Get in Kumite no Kamae and bounce a little
- Rotate your body by 90° while charging the leg by bending it orizzontally
- Extend before maximum rotation and rotate your back foot by 90° while moving your leg by -10°
- 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: âś…
- Self-Defense: ❌
Video examples: