karate kicks tutorial for beginners
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Kansetsu Geri·Fitness Karate Academy
How to learn Karate kicks step by step? here is Karate kicks tutorial for beginners, this lesson is about groin kick or …
Kansetsu Geri
SubFamily関節蹴り(Kansetsu Geri)
TraditionalTranslation: joint kick
Overview
Kansetsu Geri is a stomping kick targeting the opponent's knee joint — the foot drives downward or diagonally into the front or side of the knee, hyperextending or laterally stressing the joint. [1] It is one of the most effective and most controversial kicks in martial arts — a clean kansetsu geri can tear the ACL/MCL and end a fight instantly, but it also carries a high risk of permanent knee damage. [1] Legal in MMA as the 'oblique kick' (popularized by Jon Jones), but banned in many traditional martial arts competitions. [1]
Kansetsu-GeriJPKnee Stomping KickJoint Destruction KickOblique Kick
History & Origin
Documented in traditional karate manuals. [1]
Effectiveness
One of the most effective fight-stopping techniques — a torn ACL/MCL immediately ends the fight. [1] In MMA, the oblique kick has become a standard range-management tool, particularly used by Jon Jones and other long-limbed fighters. Highly controversial due to the permanent injury risk — many fighters and commentators have called for it to be banned. [1]
Competition Record
Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing. Appears occasionally in TKD and point-fighting karate tournaments. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Stomping/pushing kick driven into the opponent's knee joint
Joints Involved — Attacker's hip (angle), knee extension (push), ankle (foot contacts knee)
Force Vector — Downward and/or lateral — targeting the knee's weakest angles
Striking Surface — Sole of foot or heel
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Push the foot downward into the opponent's front knee
From distance — Use as a range-management tool — stomp the knee as they advance
Against a charging opponent — Drive the knee kick as they step forward
Variants
Front kansetsu geri — targeting the front of the knee (hyperextension)
Side kansetsu geri — targeting the side of the knee (lateral stress on MCL)
Oblique kick — angled downward to the knee (MMA version)
Low teep to the knee — pushing version
Videos
Kansetsu Geri
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Kansetsu Geri·Iron Ronin Budo
Kansetsu Geri (Stomp Kick) used in traditional Karate.
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Kansetsu Geri·Goju Ninja
The Stomp Kick or Kansetsu Geri (instruction at 1:09) used in Karate is a devastating attack used to destroy the lower …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Kansetsu geri, literally 'joint kick,' encompasses multiple striking techniques targeting the knee joint in traditional karate. Fitness Karate Academy discusses kingiri (groin kick), which uses the top of the foot to deliver a straight front kick to the groin area while maintaining guard in zenkutsu dachi stance, emphasizing that the technique works regardless of opponent positioning. Goju Ninja provides the most direct kansetsu geri instruction, distinguishing between outside and inside stomp kicks that drive with the heel rather than a blade foot, originating from a square stance with the foot positioned at the side of the knee. Both techniques start robotic and simple but evolve with advanced practitioners using a scooping motion of the leg and knee bending to increase power and range of motion; Goju Ninja notes these are widely used in traditional karate systems and have applications in other striking arts like Muay Thai and savat. Iron Ronin Budo emphasizes the kansetsu geri as a knee strike executed from a chambered position with the knee raised to solar plexus level or higher, utilizing the stretch reflex to generate force during the downward drive. Iron Ronin stresses the importance of core strength and hip flexor conditioning through supplementary exercises like weighted leg raises and resistance band work to achieve the height and power necessary for effective execution. All three instructors agree the technique requires proper stance foundation and deliberate knee chamber positioning, though they emphasize different target areas—groin, knee cap, and lateral knee—reflecting varied applications within traditional karate.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Fitness Karate Academy — karate kicks tutorial for beginners: Describes kingiri (groin kick variant) using top of foot striking surface, executed from zenkutsu dachi stance with bent knee in front-facing position; emphasizes technique works from multiple opponent angles.
- Goju Ninja — Kansetsu Geri (Stomp Kick) used in traditional Karate.: Details outside and inside stomp kick mechanics using heel-driven strikes from square stance; describes progression from simple robotic movement to advanced scooping motion with knee bend for increased power and force delivery; notes applications in defending against front kicks and leg sweeps.
- Iron Ronin Budo — Kansetsu Geri: Focuses on knee chamber height and timing within kata context; emphasizes elevated chamber to solar plexus level or higher to activate stretch reflex; provides conditioning protocols using ishi sashi and resistance bands to develop hip flexor and core strength necessary for powerful execution; discusses variations in downward angle and shin contact points.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Can tear ACL/MCL and cause permanent knee damage. Career-ending potential.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WKF Karate— technique prohibited or excessive contact
WKF Kumite Rules 2026PDFLegal
Kyokushin
Unified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓Aim for the SIDE or FRONT of the knee — these are the weakest angles
✓The kick PUSHES rather than snaps — drive through the joint
✓Use as a range tool — the opponent can't advance if their knee is being attacked
✓In training, use EXTREME caution — this technique easily causes real injury
Common Mistakes
!Kicking the thigh instead of the knee — wrong target
!Snapping instead of pushing — the joint needs sustained pressure
!Using full force in training — VERY dangerous to training partners
!Not angling correctly — straight kicks to the kneecap are less effective
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Jab-cross to face → opponent focuses on head defense → kansetsu geri to lead knee
2Rear low kick to thigh → opponent widens stance to absorb → kansetsu geri to straightened lead leg
3As opponent advances → time kansetsu geri to their front knee as weight transfers forward
Sources & References
Primary Source
Oyama, M. This Is Karate / Essentials of Karate.
1BookOyama, M. This Is Karate / Essentials of Karate.
[1] Oyama / Funakoshi, Karate technique manuals
2BookFunakoshi, G. Karate-Do Kyohan.
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationOyama, M. This Is Karate / Essentials of Karate.
[1] Oyama / Funakoshi, Karate technique manuals
6CitationFunakoshi, G. Karate-Do Kyohan.
Community
Athletics
Requires
precise targeting of the knee joint, hip extension power for stomping trajectory
Favours
long legs for range, heavy body weight increases impact force
Key muscles
hip extensors (downward drive), quadriceps (extension), core (stability)
Notes
Kansetsu geri (joint kick / oblique kick) targets the knee joint with a stomping trajectory. In MMA, Jon Jones popularized this technique — highly controversial due to the risk of permanent ACL/MCL tears. (Oyama, This Is Karate; MMA competition records; De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a beginner and advanced kansetsu geri?
Beginners often perform the kick too rigidly and straight up and down, while more advanced practitioners use a scooping motion with the inside of the leg to make the technique more fluid and effective (Goju Ninja).
What happens if my kansetsu geri doesn't break the opponent's knee?
If it doesn't break the knee, the kick can collapse the leg and drive the opponent backward, which puts them in a disadvantageous position while you gain positional advantage (Goju Ninja).
What part of the foot should I use for kansetsu geri?
The top of the foot is used for kansetsu geri, which is a groin or knee kick performed from a close fighting distance (Fitness Karate Academy).
How does the Kansetsu Geri work?
Kansetsu Geri is a stomping kick targeting the opponent's knee joint — the foot drives downward or diagonally into the front or side of the knee, hyperextending or laterally stressing the joint. It is one of the most effective and most controversial kicks in martial arts — a clean kansetsu geri can tear the ACL/MCL and end a fight instantly, but it also carries a high risk of permanent knee damage.
Where does the Kansetsu Geri come from?
Documented in traditional karate manuals.
Is the Kansetsu Geri legal in competition?
WKF Karate: Banned: banned — technique prohibited or excessive contact; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}
How dangerous is the Kansetsu Geri?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — can tear ACL/MCL and cause permanent knee damage. Career-ending potential.
How do I set up the Kansetsu Geri?
The standard setup chain: Jab-cross to face → opponent focuses on head defense → kansetsu geri to lead knee → Rear low kick to thigh → opponent widens stance to absorb → kansetsu geri to straightened lead leg → As opponent advances → time kansetsu geri to their front knee as weight transfers forward.
How do I defend against the Kansetsu Geri?
Standard counters include: Lift the knee — raising the target leg removes the bracing point / Check with shin — meet the kick with a shin block before it reaches the knee / Angle change — step offline at 45 degrees to avoid the linear stomping trajectory.
What are the variants of the Kansetsu Geri?
Common variants: Front kansetsu geri (targeting the front of the knee (hyperextension)); Side kansetsu geri (targeting the side of the knee (lateral stress on MCL)); Oblique kick (angled downward to the knee (MMA version)); Low teep to the knee (pushing version).
How effective is the Kansetsu Geri in competition?
Primarily a training, demonstration, and point-fighting technique. Rarely seen in full-contact MMA or kickboxing due to acrobatic risk and telegraphing.
What are common mistakes when doing the Kansetsu Geri?
Top errors to watch for: Kicking the thigh instead of the knee — wrong target / Snapping instead of pushing — the joint needs sustained pressure / Using full force in training — VERY dangerous to training partners / Not angling correctly — straight kicks to the kneecap are less effective.
What are other names for the Kansetsu Geri?
The Kansetsu Geri is also known as Kansetsu Geri, Kansetsu-Geri, Knee Stomping Kick, Joint Destruction Kick, Oblique Kick.