MAE-GERI | The Front Kick
0
Mae Keage·Danny Fung
In this video, we explain the Japanese Mae-Geri, which is the Front Kick. This is a very useful kicking technique to hav…
Mae Keage
SubFamily前蹴上げ(Mae Keage)
TraditionalTranslation: front rising kick
Overview
Mae Keage is the rising/snapping front kick in karate — the leg swings upward in a pendulum motion from the floor to the target, snapping at the apex and retracting quickly. [1] Unlike the thrusting front kick (mae kekomi) which drives through the target, keage rises INTO the target from below and snaps back. [1] The striking surface is the ball of the foot (koshi) or instep (haisoku), and the target is typically the chin, groin, or solar plexus. [1] This is the most commonly practiced front kick in traditional karate. [1]
Mae-KeageJPFront Snap Rising KickRising Front KickMae Geri KeageJP
History & Origin
Mae Keage is documented in Funakoshi's Karate-Do Kyohan as the fundamental snapping front kick. [1] The keage/kekomi (snap/thrust) distinction is central to Japanese karate kick classification and applies to front, side, and back kicks. Together with mae kekomi, mae keage forms the complete front kick system of traditional karate. [1]
Effectiveness
The fastest front kick variant — the snapping motion is harder to see and react to than a thrusting kick. [1] The rising trajectory attacks from below, making it effective against opponents with a high guard. Particularly effective targeting the chin (where it can cause a knockout) and the groin (self-defense). [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]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Pendulum swing of the leg from floor to target, snapping at the apex
Joints Involved — Hip flexion (rising swing), knee extension (snap at apex), ankle dorsiflexion (ball of foot contact)
Force Vector — Upward rising arc — impact at the top of the swing
Striking Surface — Ball of foot (koshi) or instep (haisoku)
Position & Entry
From front stance — Swing the rear leg upward in a rising arc, snap at the chin/groin height, retract
As a quick counter — Rising snap kick to the chin when opponent lowers guard
Variants
Mae keage jodan — rising kick to the face
Mae keage chudan — rising kick to the solar plexus
Mae keage gedan — rising kick to the groin
Kizami mae keage — lead leg snapping front kick
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Chin kicks can cause knockouts; groin kicks can incapacitate.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WKF Karate— groin strikes prohibited
WKF Kumite Rules 2026PDFMost competitions— groin strikes illegal
Legal
KyokushinSelf-Defense
Training Notes
✓The kick RISES into the target — think of kicking a ball upward, not pushing forward
✓SNAP and retract quickly — don't leave the leg extended
✓The hip drives the leg upward — not just the quadriceps
✓Pull the toes back to strike with the ball of the foot — or point for instep strikes
Common Mistakes
!Pushing through instead of snapping — that's mae kekomi, not keage
!Not retracting quickly — leaves the leg exposed to catching
!Using only the leg muscles — the hip must drive the rising motion
!Striking with the toes instead of ball of foot — broken toes
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Jab to face → opponent blocks high → mae keage to exposed groin
2Step forward to close distance → mae keage snap to chin
3Block an attack → immediate mae keage counter to the solar plexus
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
hip flexibility for the rising arc, fast twitch muscles for the snap
Key muscles
hip flexors (rising), quadriceps (snap), tibialis anterior (ball of foot position)
Notes
Mae keage (front rising kick) is a snapping upward kick — the leg rises from below without full chamber. Used as a warm-up drill, a groin attack, or a guard-clearing tool. Not a power kick but extremely fast. (Nakayama, Dynamic Karate; Funakoshi, Karate-Do Kyohan)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first thing I should do when throwing a front kick?
Always elevate your knee first and point it in the direction you're aiming. Danny Fung emphasizes that the knee position is fundamental before extending the kick to the target.
Should I push with the front kick or snap it back like a punch?
You should snap it back like a punch—retract and bring your foot back to where it started immediately after hitting the target, rather than pushing through. This creates the characteristic 'pop' that makes the kick effective.
Can the front kick be used as a counter-attack?
Yes, the front kick is an excellent counter technique because your legs are longer than your opponent's arms, allowing you to intercept incoming punches before they land. Danny Fung demonstrates using it to stop a cross punch by timing the kick underneath the incoming strike.
What should I do when first practicing the front kick on pads?
Start with a few light kicks to gauge distance and get comfortable with pad placement before moving to full power, ensuring both you and your training partner are properly oriented for an effective target.
How does the Mae Keage work?
Mae Keage is the rising/snapping front kick in karate — the leg swings upward in a pendulum motion from the floor to the target, snapping at the apex and retracting quickly. Unlike the thrusting front kick (mae kekomi) which drives through the target, keage rises INTO the target from below and snaps back.
Where does the Mae Keage come from?
Mae Keage is documented in Funakoshi's Karate-Do Kyohan as the fundamental snapping front kick. The keage/kekomi (snap/thrust) distinction is central to Japanese karate kick classification and applies to front, side, and back kicks.
Is the Mae Keage legal in competition?
WKF Karate: Banned: banned — groin strikes prohibited; Most competitions: Banned: banned — groin strikes illegal; Kyokushin: Legal: legal — groin protection required; Self: legal — Defense: Legal — primary self-defense target
How dangerous is the Mae Keage?
Danger rating 6/10. High — chin kicks can cause knockouts; groin kicks can incapacitate.
How do I set up the Mae Keage?
The standard setup chain: Jab to face → opponent blocks high → mae keage to exposed groin → Step forward to close distance → mae keage snap to chin → Block an attack → immediate mae keage counter to the solar plexus.
How do I defend against the Mae Keage?
Standard counters include: Low block (gedan barai) — deflect the rising kick / Step back — the rising kick has limited forward reach / Catch the leg — grab during the brief extension moment.
What are the variants of the Mae Keage?
Common variants: Mae keage jodan (rising kick to the face); Mae keage chudan (rising kick to the solar plexus); Mae keage gedan (rising kick to the groin); Kizami mae keage (lead leg snapping front kick).
How effective is the Mae Keage 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 Mae Keage?
Top errors to watch for: Pushing through instead of snapping — that's mae kekomi, not keage / Not retracting quickly — leaves the leg exposed to catching / Using only the leg muscles — the hip must drive the rising motion / Striking with the toes instead of ball of foot — broken toes.
What are other names for the Mae Keage?
The Mae Keage is also known as Mae Keage, Mae-Keage, Front Snap Rising Kick, Rising Front Kick, Mae Geri Keage.