Jumping kicks, or Tobi Geri, are among karate’s “cool” kicks.
This kick is flashy, and performing perfectly can make you the “cool Dude” in the Dojo or even on your social media.
Apart from its popular possibility, This kick is only being used in kata, and frankly, it is too complex to perform in a street fight or a defensive situation.
In this blog, I will walk you through the details of Tobi Geri, Its variations, and tips to improve it.
What is Tobi Geri – Jumping Kick?
Tobi Geri, or the Jumping Kick, as it is obvious from the name, is a kick while you are in the air.
You can deliver kicks like Mae Geri (Tobi Mae Geri) and Mawashi Geri. And Yoko Geri while jumping.
As you can see, Tobi Geri is all the other kicks you have learned. However, the difference is you have to deliver those kicks while you are in the air.
Tobi Geri is considered to be a powerful kick. By launching your kick from the air, you increase your reach and add the weight of your body into the strike, which can deliver a profound impact.
How to Master Tobi Geri – Jumping Kick
As I have mentioned, Tobi Geri is all the other kicks you have learned. Here, I have discussed some specific kicks that can be tricky to perform.
Tobi Hiza Geri – Jumping Knee Strike
How to Master:
The Tobi Hiza Geri, or Jumping Knee Strike, is a unique technique where you jump into the air and strike with your knee.
This kick aims at your opponent’s nose, mouth or head.
To master this kick, start by practicing the jump itself. You must have a solid stance; without that, your jumping and attack will be less powerful.
Jumping Hiza Geri’s basic is similar to Mae Geri’s. When you are in the air, try bringing your knee as close as possible to your chest.
DO’s:
Proper Stance: Ensure your stance is stable as you take off. A strong base will allow for better balance in the air and control over the
Controlled Takeoff: The takeoff should be quick and powerful but controlled. Don’t just leap; make sure you’re driving upward with purpose.
Use Hip Rotation: Focus on rotating your hips when striking to increase the power of the knee strike. This adds force and makes the strike harder to avoid.
DON’Ts:
Avoid Overextending: Don’t push your knee too far DO’sof range. Aim for a direct strike, not a wild, sweeping motion.
Don’t Lose Balance: Keep your body balanced. It’s easy to lean forward too much during the jump, throwing off your precision and leaving you open to counterDon’tcks.
Don’t use only one leg: Many karateka use only one for this kick. You need to practice this kick with both of your legs.
This will improve your overall balance and give you the edge over your opponent.
Tobi Mae Geri or Mae Tobi Geri – Jumping Front Kick
How to Master:
The Tobi Mae Geri, or Jumping Front Kick, is one of the most commonly seen jumping kicks in karate.
To perfect this kick, practice your basic front kick( Mae Geri), focusing on a quick knee lift and a sharp, controlled strike.
For more about Mae Geri, You can read This article.
Then, add the jump. As you push off the ground, drive your knee up towards your chest and kick out with the top of your foot.
The key here is the explosiveness of your jump—aim to get as high as possible while keeping your kick focused and straight.
DO’s:
High Knee Drive: The higher you drive your knee, the more power and precision you’ll have in your kick. It also helps you clear the opponent’s guard more easily.
Focus on Speed: kicks are all about Speed. If you are slow to jump, Your opponent will guess the move and can counter you badly.
Explosive Jump: Your jump needs to be quick and powerful. The faster you get off the ground, the quicker your kick will land.
DON’Ts:
Don’t Lean Too Far Back: This can throw off your balance and limit the power of your DOs. Keep your body upright during the jump to maintain control.
Avoid Poor Landing Technique: It’s not just about the kick but also about how you land. Try to land on both feet instead of on one. This will help you to maintain your balance.
Tobi Mawashi Geri – Jumping Roundhouse Kick
How to Master:
To perfect this kick, begin by practicing your regular roundhouse kick and getting the rotation of your hips just right.
For more on this kick, Read this article.
Once you’re comfortable, add the jump.
As you jump, ensure you are not twisting your hip too much. It may give you power, But it also brings the danger of counterattack from the opponent.
DO’s:
Keep Your Guard Up: Don’t forget to protect yourself as you jump. Always keep your hands in a guard position to defend against potential counters.
Smooth Hip Rotation: A smooth rotation of your hips will help you generate more power and maintain control over the direction of your kick.
Full Leg Extension: Extend your leg fully during the kick for maximum reach and power.
DON’Ts:
Avoid Being Off-Balance: Make sure your landing is stable. You’ll be vulnerable to counterattacks if you’re off-balance after the jump.
Don’t Kick Too Early: This is crucial for this kick. Don’t rush it—wait for the right moment to execute the kick fully.
Tobi Ushiro Geri – Jumping Back Kick
How to Master:
Unlike other jumping kicks, The Tobi Ushiro Geri, or Jumping Back Kick, involves kicking backward while in mid-air.
To perform this kick. First, you need to have a good Ushiro geri. For more about Ushiro Geri, Read this Article.
So, Begin by learning the back kick on the ground, ensuring you’re comfortable with the motion.
Once you’ve nailed the basic kick, add the jump. As you jump, turn your body slightly and drive the heel of your kicking leg backward.
DO’s:
Keep Your Back Straight: Maintain good posture to maximize power and control. Avoid archinyou’ll back too much during the jump.
Pivot on Your Supporting Foot: As you rotate, pivot on your non-kicking foot. This allows for your turn and ensures the kick lands your maximum force.
Aim for the Torso: Aim for the opponent’s torso when executing the kick. This increases the chances of landing a clean, powerful strike.
DON’Ts:
Don’t Look Back: Avoid looking behind you during the jump. It may throw off your balance and timing.
Avoid Over-Rotating: Don’t twist your body too much. Over-rotation can make your kick less effective and leave you open to counterattacks.
Tobi Yoko Geri or Yoko Tobi Geri – Jumping Side Kick (Flying Side Kick)
How to Master:
To perfect The Tobi Yoko Geri or Jumping Side Kick, start with your Yoko Geri.
Practice the side kick first without jumping, ensuring you can kick with control and power.
Be sure you can do Yoko Geri continuously with power and accuracy.
Once you’re comfortable, add the jump.
DO’s:
Maintain a Solid Base: A strong base before the jump is essential for balance and control. Keep your hands in a guard position for defense.
Focus on Driving Your Foot Forward: As you extend your leg, forcefully drive your foot towards the target.
DON’Ts:
Don’t Throw the Kick Too Wide: A wide kick can lose precision and power. Keep the kick narrow and focused.
Over-committing to the Jump: The jump should feel like a natural part of the kick, not a separate movement. Over-committing can leave you off-balance and vulnerable after the strike.
Nidan Tobi Geri (or Nidan Geri) – Jumping Double Front Kick
How to Master:
For Nidan Tobi Geri or Jumping Double Front Kick, you need to focus on timing, coordination, and explosiveness.
This kick is for more advanced students and is only used in Kata’s.
Start by practicing your regular front kick, then work on executing the double kick by lifting your knees high and quickly alternating between the two kicks.
The key is maintaining fluidity—each kick should be robust and seamless. Focus on keeping your body light and using your core for balance and Speed as you perform both kicks in one jump.
DO’s:
Stay Light on Your Feet: A quick and light takeoff will give you more control and Speed for both kicks.
DON’Ts:
Avoid Low Jumps: Ensure your jump is high enough to give you the space needed for both kicks. A low jump will limit your ability to execute the second kick fully.
Tips for Improving Jumping Techniques in Martial Arts
Improving your jumping techniques is crucial to performing high, powerful, and precise Tobi Geri kicks.
Here are some practical tips that I have tried and got results:
Focus on Explosive Power:
Jumping kicks require explosive strength to propel your body into the air.
Plyometric exercises like jump squats and box jumps are excellent for building this kind of power.
Try to include this type of exercise in your daily practice.
Strengthen Core Muscles:
A strong core is essential for maintaining control during a jump and a kick.
Add exercises like planks, leg raises, and twists to your routine to build core strength. This will help you maintain balance and coordination while in the air.
Work on Flexibility:
Flexibility is key for high kicks and proper form.
The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to get your leg up high and execute the perfect jump kick.
Incorporate stretching exercises like hamstring stretches, hip flexor stretches, and quadriceps stretches into your daily routine.
Being flexible will also reduce the risk of injury during your training.
The Effectiveness of Jumping Kicks in a Fight
Is the Flying Kick Effective in a Fight?
The flying kick, like the Yoko Tobi Geri (jumping side kick), is often seen as one of the most impressive moves in martial arts, but is it really effective in a fight?
The answer is yes but with certain caveats. Jumping kicks like the flying kick are powerful because they catch your opponent off guard, mainly when focused on ground-level attacks.
However, the effectiveness of the flying kick depends on timing, distance, and the element of surprise.
Do not use such extravagant techniques in a stressful situation when your life is at stake.
Use simple kicks like Mae geri to avoid conflict. This type of attack takes less time and makes you less vulnerable.
Final Thoughts
Mastering jumping kick/Tobi Geri is important for your karate journey.
Practicing variations of Tobi Geri can help you achieve another level of skill and character.
To perform this kick fluently, you must first master and perform the basic kicks on the ground.
If you follow these tips, you can improve your jumping techniques by mastering Tobi Geri.
FAQ
What is Mae Tobi Geri?
Mae Tobi Geri, or Jumping Front Kick, is a jumping kick where you drive your knee upwards first and then extend your leg forward, striking with the top of your foot.
This kick is designed to target the opponent’s head, chest, or midsection and is often used in karate and taekwondo. It combines the Speed of a traditional front kick with a jump’s added height and force.
What Does Yoko Tobi Geri Mean?
Yoko Tobi Geri, or Flying Side Kick, is a jump kick where the practitioner leaps into the air and extends their leg sideways, targeting the opponent with the edge of the foot.
The key to this kick is the height and control in the air, which allows you to strike from a greater distance.
The “Yoko” part refers to the side kick motion, and “Tobi” indicates that it’s performed while jumping.
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