Jumping Front Kick and Jumping Round House Kick
0
Tsumasaki Geri·Shorin Ryu Family Karate
Learn how to Kick jumping Mae Geri and Jumping Mawashi Geri
Tsumasaki Geri
SubFamily爪先蹴り(Tsumasaki Geri)
TraditionalTranslation: toe tip kick
Overview
Tsumasaki Geri is a front kick delivered with the tips of the toes as the striking surface, rather than the ball of the foot (chusoku) or instep (haisoku). [1] The toes are pulled tightly together and curled slightly upward to create a compact point of impact. [1] This technique concentrates the entire force of a front kick into the small surface area of the toe tips, allowing it to penetrate between the ribs, into the solar plexus, or under the chin. [1] Common in Okinawan karate and some Kyokushin lineages, tsumasaki geri requires extensive toe conditioning — practitioners traditionally trained by kicking bundles of straw (makiwara) and sand to toughen the toes over years. [1]
Tsumasaki-GeriJPToe KickToe Tip Front KickTip of Toes Kick
History & Origin
Tsumasaki geri originates in Okinawan karate, where it was practiced as a standard kicking technique before the ball-of-foot (chusoku) became the dominant impact surface in Japanese mainland karate. [1] Okinawan masters trained their toes by kicking bundles of straw, sand-filled containers, and wooden posts. [1] When karate was introduced to mainland Japan in the 1920s-30s, the toe-tip kick was gradually replaced by the safer ball-of-foot variant for widespread teaching, though it survives in traditional Okinawan lineages and some Kyokushin dojo. [1]
Effectiveness
Devastating penetrating power when properly conditioned — the concentrated force can rupture organs and penetrate between ribs. [1] However, the technique is largely impractical in modern sport contexts and requires years of conditioning that most practitioners no longer undertake. In street self-defense with shoes or boots, the toe tip becomes a natural and powerful striking surface without special conditioning. [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 — Front kick mechanic (hip flexion → knee extension) with toes pulled together and curled upward to create a compact tip
Joints Involved — Hip flexion (chambering), knee extension (kick delivery), metatarsophalangeal joints (toe lock), ankle dorsiflexion (toe positioning)
Force Vector — Forward and slightly upward — same as mae geri but with dramatically reduced contact area
Striking Surface — Tips of the toes (approximately 2-4 cm² total) — concentrates force by roughly 10x compared to ball of foot
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Chamber front kick normally, drive toes into solar plexus or floating ribs
As a counter — Opponent advances — tsumasaki geri to exposed abdomen stops forward momentum
From clinch break — Push away → immediate tsumasaki geri to soft midsection as opponent separates
Variants
Straight tsumasaki geri — forward drive to solar plexus
Rising tsumasaki geri — upward angle under the chin
Low tsumasaki geri — targeting the inner thigh or groin
Oi tsumasaki geri — stepping forward tsumasaki geri with full body momentum
Videos
The Uechi-ryu pointed toe-kick (Sokusen) - A How To Video
0
Tsumasaki Geri·Scott Taylor
Uechiryu (Uechi-ryu) has two kicks (in kata), the primary one being ‘sokusen’ or pointed toe kick. Thinking that this …
2 videos
What Instructors Say
Tsumasaki geri, or pointed toe-kick, is a striking technique distinguished by its use of the tip of the toe rather than the ball of the foot. Scott Taylor emphasizes that this kick is unique to Uechi-ryu karate and differs significantly from traditional mainland Japanese karate front kicks. The distinctive foot conditioning involves flexing the second knuckle of all toes inward to create a straight line from the toe tip through the foot, forming what Taylor calls the 'tiger's tooth.' This knuckle flexion protects the striker's toes from injury while concentrating force into a penetrating point strike. Taylor notes the kick produces an inherent rising motion due to the curled toe position, which remains slight even when targeting the torso or groin. He stresses the technique's lethality and unsuitability for competition, recommending practice progression from wall work to heavy bags as conditioning develops. Shorin Ryu Family Karate's video addresses jumping front kicks (tobi mae geri) rather than the pointed toe variant specifically, focusing instead on jumping mechanics, hip rotation, foot positioning during landing, and height control. While both instructors discuss front kick mechanics, Taylor's detailed foot-conditioning methodology for tsumasaki geri contrasts with Shorin Ryu's broader jumping kick pedagogy, which emphasizes balance and proper weight distribution.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Scott Taylor — The Uechi-ryu pointed toe-kick (Sokusen) - A How To Video: Detailed foot conditioning technique (toe and knuckle flexion), the 'tiger's tooth' formation, injury prevention through proper foot structure, natural rising trajectory of the kick, practice progression from walls to heavy bags, and context regarding the technique's lethality and competition restrictions.
- Shorin Ryu Family Karate — Jumping Front Kick and Jumping Round House Kick: Jumping front kick mechanics (tobi mae geri), including raising the front leg before jumping with the back leg, hip rotation for power generation, foot positioning during landing transitions, balance maintenance through hand control, and proper stance alignment during execution.
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
7
Very High7/10
Concentrated toe-tip impact can penetrate between ribs and rupture internal organs. Self-injury risk: unconditioned toes will break on contact.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WKF Karate— Not explicitly banned but impractical — foot protectors c...
WKF Kumite Rules 2026PDFUnified MMA— Impractical with required footwear in some jurisdictions
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFLegal
KyokushinTraditional Okinawan tournaments
Training Notes
✓Toe conditioning is MANDATORY — begin with soft targets (sand, rice) and progress over months to harder surfaces
✓Curl toes tightly upward and lock them — any looseness means broken toes
✓Practice on body shields before any bare-surface training
✓Modern practitioners can use the technique with shoes/boots where the toe tip is a natural striking point
Common Mistakes
!Attempting without toe conditioning — guaranteed toe fractures on any resistance
!Loose toe lock — toes splay on impact and break individually
!Kicking bone (ribs, sternum) instead of soft tissue — the technique is designed for gaps between bones
!Insufficient ankle dorsiflexion — toes don't align properly with the force vector
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Jab to face → opponent raises guard → tsumasaki geri to exposed solar plexus between ribs
2Grab opponent's collar → pull forward → tsumasaki geri to floating ribs
3Mae geri feint high → opponent raises guard → drop level and tsumasaki geri to lower abdomen
Sources & References
Primary Source
Oyama, M. This Is Karate / Essentials of Karate.
1BookOyama, M. This Is Karate / Essentials of Karate.
[1] Oyama / Higaonna / McCarthy — traditional Okinawan karate technique documentation
2BookHigaonna, M. Traditional Karatedo: Okinawa Goju Ryu.
3BookMcCarthy, P. Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat.
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
5OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
6CitationOyama, M. This Is Karate / Essentials of Karate.
[1] Oyama / Higaonna / McCarthy — traditional Okinawan karate technique documentation
7CitationHigaonna, M. Traditional Karatedo: Okinawa Goju Ryu.
8CitationMcCarthy, P. Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat.
Community
Athletics
Requires
extensive toe conditioning (months to years), strong ankle dorsiflexion, precise targeting
Favours
strong toe structure, thick foot bones
Key muscles
toe flexors (lock), ankle dorsiflexors (positioning), hip flexors (chamber), quadriceps (extension)
Notes
Tsumasaki geri (toe tip kick) uses the tips of the toes — a traditional Okinawan technique requiring years of toe conditioning. Modern karate replaced it with ball-of-foot contact for safety. Survives in Kyokushin and traditional Okinawan lineages. (Oyama, This Is Karate; Higaonna, Traditional Karatedo: Okinawa Goju Ryu)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake people make when performing a jumping kick?
Many people lift their hands back during the kick, but you should control your hand position and keep it steady instead. Additionally, keep your feet straight and avoid lowering them as you kick—bend forward with your body instead.
How should I position my body when executing a jumping front kick?
You need to turn your body backward as you bend, while keeping your eyes on the target in front. When you turn to face back, you'll kick with your back leg, and it's important to keep your head up and your body straight throughout the motion.
What's the key to maintaining balance during a jumping kick?
Feel as if you're going to touch the ground or your hand with your leg, but keep your head always up and your body straight and steady. Before practicing the full kick, first focus on learning how to jump and land properly.
How should my feet be positioned when I jump to perform this kick?
Both feet should be turned toward the opposite side as you jump. Make sure to practice the jumping and landing mechanics before attempting the full kicking technique.
How does the Tsumasaki Geri work?
Tsumasaki Geri is a front kick delivered with the tips of the toes as the striking surface, rather than the ball of the foot (chusoku) or instep (haisoku). The toes are pulled tightly together and curled slightly upward to create a compact point of impact.
Where does the Tsumasaki Geri come from?
Tsumasaki geri originates in Okinawan karate, where it was practiced as a standard kicking technique before the ball-of-foot (chusoku) became the dominant impact surface in Japanese mainland karate. Okinawan masters trained their toes by kicking bundles of straw, sand-filled containers, and wooden posts.
Is the Tsumasaki Geri legal in competition?
WKF Karate: Not explicitly banned but impractical: banned — foot protectors cover toes; Unified MMA: Impractical with required footwear in some jurisdictions {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: banned — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; Kyokushin: Permitted in bare: legal — foot kumite
How dangerous is the Tsumasaki Geri?
Danger rating 7/10. High — concentrated toe-tip impact can penetrate between ribs and rupture internal organs. Self-injury risk: unconditioned toes will break on contact.
How do I set up the Tsumasaki Geri?
The standard setup chain: Jab to face → opponent raises guard → tsumasaki geri to exposed solar plexus between ribs → Grab opponent's collar → pull forward → tsumasaki geri to floating ribs → Mae geri feint high → opponent raises guard → drop level and tsumasaki geri to lower abdomen.
How do I defend against the Tsumasaki Geri?
Standard counters include: Side step — avoid the linear trajectory / Low block (gedan barai) — deflect the kick downward before it reaches the target / Check with knee — raise the knee to intercept the kick at the shin level.
What are the variants of the Tsumasaki Geri?
Common variants: Straight tsumasaki geri (forward drive to solar plexus); Rising tsumasaki geri (upward angle under the chin); Low tsumasaki geri (targeting the inner thigh or groin); Oi tsumasaki geri (stepping forward tsumasaki geri with full body momentum).
How effective is the Tsumasaki 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 Tsumasaki Geri?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without toe conditioning — guaranteed toe fractures on any resistance / Loose toe lock — toes splay on impact and break individually / Kicking bone (ribs, sternum) instead of soft tissue — the technique is designed for gaps between bones / Insufficient ankle dorsiflexion — toes don't align properly with the force vector.
What are other names for the Tsumasaki Geri?
The Tsumasaki Geri is also known as Tsumasaki Geri, Tsumasaki-Geri, Toe Kick, Toe Tip Front Kick, Tip of Toes Kick.