Geri Waza: The 22 Karate Kicks We Teach in Pagoda Ryu
Geri Waza is our name for kicking techniques in Pagoda Ryu karate. Our curriculum identifies twenty-two kicks, each defined by its motion and striking surface.
Mae Geri and Mae Kekomi, for example, are both front kicks, but they are different techniques. Mae Geri snaps with the ball of the foot, while Mae Kekomi thrusts with the sole and heel.
Knowing the name is only the beginning. Students must understand how the kick moves, what makes contact, and how to recover with balance and control.
At a glance
Total kicks: 22 in the Pagoda Ryu curriculum
Yellow Belt: the first 5 kicks
Orange Belt: adds 2 side kicks (7 total)
Blue Belt: adds 8 kicks (15 total)
Advanced: the final 7 kicks, including flying kicks
The Two Principles Behind Every Kick
1. “The Hip Is The Height of The Kick.”
The hip, supporting leg, stance, and upper body work together to position and deliver the kick. Height comes from that coordination. Students should develop the movement as a whole instead of simply throwing the leg upward.
2. “The Knee Flex Is The Power of The Kick.”
Lift and bend the knee to prepare the kick before extending. This preparation is called the chamber. A strong chamber helps organize the technique so the student can deliver it with power and control, then pull it back.
Pagoda Ryu emphasizes an audible snapping movement, speed, power, and a strong pullback. Each kick must also express its intended motion, whether that is a snap, thrust, stomp, sweep, or hook.
All 22 Pagoda Ryu Kicks by Belt Level
Students learn the kicks in order. Yellow Belt introduces the first five. Orange Belt adds two, bringing the total to seven. Blue Belt expands that foundation to the first fifteen.
Yellow Belt: Front Kicks (Kicks 1–5)
The first five kicks introduce front kicking techniques and their striking surfaces:
Mae Geri – Front snap kick, striking with the ball of the foot.
Mae Kekomi – Front thrust kick, striking with the sole and heel.
Mae Shokuto – Front knife-edge kick, striking with the edge of the foot.
Mae Kin Geri – Instep groin kick, striking with the instep.
Mae Fumi Komi – Stomping kick, striking with the heel and sole.
Orange Belt: Side Kicks (Kicks 6–7)
Orange Belt adds two side kicks:
Yoko Kaage – Side snap kick, striking with the edge of the foot.
Yoko Geri – Side snap kick, striking with the ball of the foot.
Blue Belt: Building the Foundation (Kicks 8–15)
Blue Belt adds eight kicks to complete the first fifteen:
Yoko Kekomi – Side thrust kick, striking with the sole and heel.
Ushiro Geri – Back snap kick, striking with the heel.
Hiza Geri – Knee kick, striking with the knee.
Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse kick, striking with the ball of the foot or instep.
Kagi Geri – Hook kick, striking with the heel and sole.
Mikazuki Geri – Crescent kick, striking with the sole.
Haku Geri – Sweep kick, striking with the sole.
Kangetsu Geri – Joint kick, striking with the edge of the foot.
Advanced Kicks (Kicks 16–22)
The remaining seven techniques complete the curriculum’s twenty-two kicks:
Mae Tobi Geri – Front flying kick, striking with the ball of the foot or sole.
Yoko Tobi Geri – Side flying kick, striking with the edge of the foot.
Mawashi Tobi Geri – Roundhouse flying kick, striking with the ball of the foot.
Moroto Tobi Geri – Double flying kick, striking with the ball of the foot or sole.
Mae Choyaku – Forward leap, striking with the edge of the foot.
Ushiro Kekomi – Back thrust kick, striking with the sole and heel.
Kagato Geri – Heel kick, striking with the heel.
What Sensei Looks For Before a Student Advances
A kick includes its preparation, delivery, pullback, and recovery. Reaching the target is one part of the technique; the student must also remain in control before and after contact.
Before advancing, students should demonstrate:
Balance throughout the movement.
A clear, controlled chamber.
Hip engagement that supports the kick.
The correct striking surface.
The intended motion, with appropriate speed, power, and focus.
A strong pullback.
A controlled return to a balanced stance.
The recovery matters. A student who delivers a kick but falls out of position still has part of the technique to develop.
How to Practice Karate Kicks at Home
Practice only the kicks Sensei has already introduced, and focus on control.
Work through the chamber slowly. Lift the knee, hold for a count of two, extend with control, pull back, and place the foot down in a balanced stance.
Name the striking surface. Say it aloud as you practice. Build the habit of knowing exactly which part of the foot—or knee—the technique uses.
Use support when needed. Hold a sturdy chair or wall while developing balance.
Check the finish. After each kick, notice whether you can return to your stance without an extra step or adjustment.
Keep the kick at a height you can control. As your balance and coordination improve, work with Sensei to develop the technique further.
Kicking with Responsibility
The ball, sole, heel, edge, instep, and knee are different tools. Each striking surface changes how a technique makes contact, and learning to use it requires attention and control.
At Of The Void Martial Arts in Crestwood, KY, we teach Fire as controlled intensity: act decisively when action is needed, and maintain the self-control to leave a technique unused when it is not.
That responsibility begins in practice. Prepare with care, deliver with purpose, and recover with control.
Start Training at Of The Void Martial Arts
New to karate? Our $30 Starter Pack includes a uniform and three classes, so you or your child can learn these kicks with Sensei in person. Ready to come in? Book a class online and we'll see you on the mat.
Questions? Ask Sensei before or after class, or email info@ofthevoidmartialarts.com.
With respect,
Sensei Charles C. Alston Jr.
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