Front snap kick and Sparring Tips
0
Upward Side Kick·Nativerobin Martial Arts and Fitness
http://www.snowstaekwondo.com/ The first video in my series "The first 5 kicks you just got to know". The front snap ki…
Upward Side Kick
SubFamily横蹴上げ(Yoko Geri Keage)
TraditionalTranslation: side snap kick
Overview
The Upward Side Kick is a side kick variation that travels in an upward arc rather than a straight horizontal line, snapping upward toward the target and retracting quickly. [1] While the penetrating side kick drives through the opponent, the upward side kick lifts into the target from below — striking the chin, ribs, or armpit with a rising trajectory. [1] The striking surface is typically the edge or blade of the foot. This kick is faster than the penetrating version but generates less forward force, trading power for speed and the ability to attack targets that are difficult to reach with horizontal kicks. [1]
Yoko Geri KeageJPSide Snap KickRising Side Kick
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Practiced in karate (yoko keage) and Taekwondo. The snapping upward side kick is a traditional Shotokan technique. [1]
Competition Record
Frequently used in MMA (UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator), kickboxing (GLORY, K-1), and Muay Thai (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern). One of the most commonly thrown kicks in professional striking competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Side kick rising in an upward arc — snapping toward target from below
Joints Involved — Hip abduction (rising), knee extension (snap), ankle dorsiflexion
Force Vector — Upward and slightly lateral
Striking Surface — Blade of foot
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Raise leg laterally in upward arc, striking chin, armpit, or ribs from below
As counter — Snap upward as opponent moves into range
Variants
Rising to chin — requires maximum flexibility
Rising to armpit — targets nerve cluster
Rising to floating ribs — most common target
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
4
Moderate4/10
Less power than thrusting version but can target chin and floating ribs.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Unified MMA— standard striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWKF Karate— controlled contact required
WKF Kumite Rules 2026PDFWT Taekwondo— kicks are primary scoring technique
WT Competition Rules 2026PDFWAKO Kickboxing— full contact permitted
WAKO Full Contact RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The kick RISES into the target — think pendulum swing
✓Retract quickly after impact — the snap-back defines keage
✓Keep body upright — leaning reduces upward trajectory
✓Aim for soft targets exposed from below: chin, armpit, floating ribs
Common Mistakes
!Driving through horizontally instead of rising — that's kekomi
!Not retracting the kick — leaves leg exposed
!Dropping guard during the swing
!Leaning away, reducing height and accuracy
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Rear hand feint high → upward side kick to ribs
2Step to side → rising kick under raised guard
3Jab to face → snap side kick to armpit
Sources & References
Primary Source
De Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.
1BookDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 63-65
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 2.2, pp. 63-65
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationDe Bremaeker, M. & Faige, R. (2010). Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks. Tuttle Publishing.pp. pp. 63-65
[1] De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks (2010), Section 2.2, pp. 63-65
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility for rising arc, speed
Key muscles
hip abductors, adductors (retraction), quadriceps
Notes
Documented in De Bremaeker & Faige, Section 2.2 (yoko keage in karate). A snapping upward side kick — the foot travels vertically from below rather than horizontally. Targets the armpit, chin, or floating ribs. (De Bremaeker & Faige, Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks, 2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep my hands up when throwing a front snap kick?
Yes, always keep your hands up when kicking. Nativerobin emphasizes that beginners often drop their hands when executing kicks, and you don't want to develop this habit, especially in tournament sparring.
What part of my foot should I kick with on a front snap kick?
Curl your toes back and kick with the pad of your foot, not your whole foot. This ensures proper contact and protects your toes.
How should I use the front snap kick in sparring?
Use the front snap kick like a boxer would use a jab—to set up distance and keep your opponent at range rather than committing to a full power kick. Nativerobin also suggests feinting by picking your front leg up and down before actually kicking to catch your opponent off-guard.
Why is breathing important when kicking?
Exhaling when you kick forces you to breathe rhythmically, which keeps your blood oxygenated during a match and maintains your energy levels.
How does the Upward Side Kick work?
The Upward Side Kick is a side kick variation that travels in an upward arc rather than a straight horizontal line, snapping upward toward the target and retracting quickly. While the penetrating side kick drives through the opponent, the upward side kick lifts into the target from below — striking the chin, ribs, or armpit with a rising trajectory.
Where does the Upward Side Kick come from?
The upward side kick (yoko geri keage) is one of two fundamental side kick variations in Shotokan karate, paired with the penetrating version (yoko geri kekomi). The keage/kekomi distinction is central to Japanese karate classification.
Is the Upward Side Kick legal in competition?
Unified MMA: Legal: legal — standard striking technique; WKF Karate: Legal: legal — controlled contact required; WT Taekwondo: Legal: legal — kicks are primary scoring technique; WAKO Kickboxing: Legal: legal — full contact permitted
How dangerous is the Upward Side Kick?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — less power than thrusting version but can target chin and floating ribs.
How do I set up the Upward Side Kick?
The standard setup chain: Rear hand feint high → upward side kick to ribs → Step to side → rising kick under raised guard → Jab to face → snap side kick to armpit.
How do I defend against the Upward Side Kick?
Standard counters include: Step back — limited forward penetration / Block downward / Low kick counter to standing leg.
What are the variants of the Upward Side Kick?
Common variants: Rising to chin (requires maximum flexibility); Rising to armpit (targets nerve cluster); Rising to floating ribs (most common target).
How effective is the Upward Side Kick in competition?
Frequently used in MMA (UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator), kickboxing (GLORY, K-1), and Muay Thai (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern). One of the most commonly thrown kicks in professional striking competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Upward Side Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Driving through horizontally instead of rising — that's kekomi / Not retracting the kick — leaves leg exposed / Dropping guard during the swing / Leaning away, reducing height and accuracy.
What are other names for the Upward Side Kick?
The Upward Side Kick is also known as Yoko Geri Keage, Side Snap Kick, Rising Side Kick.