Back Leg Forty-Five Degree Blade Kick

This kick looks like a front kick delivered with a side-kick foot form. The kick is delivered with a snapping action on a forty-five-degree angle outside the karateka’s centerline. It looks like a weak and useless kick upon first examination. From a forward stance the knee comes forward as a in a front kick. Tuck the bottom of the foot against the top of the knee. Snap the blade of the foot out on a forty-five-degree angle. Quickly return the foot to the side of the knee and set it backwards into the original position in the stance. Check the stance for proper alignment. This kick can also be done with the lead leg and is more effective if it is done with the lead leg.

This is one of the original Okinawan kicks and is found in Japanese karate also. Shotokan teaches this kick as a means of disarming an attacker with a knife. This is unlikely. Using a small target like the top of the foot to knock the knife out of another small target like the hand is very hard to do. Where this technique is very useful is in the entrance to another technique. By striking with this kick to the inner thigh of an attacker, it moves the attacker’s thought process to the kick. The second this technique is delivered the second phase of the karateka’s attack must be lunched before the opponent realizes it was simply a diversion. This can be effective in controlling a knife in combat. After the kick is delivered, grasp the attacker’s wrist that holds the weapon. Once you control the weapon any number of techniques can be used for to disarm the adversary.  This kick can also be used to set-up a lead leg sweep. After the top of the foot strike s the attacker’s inner thigh of the rear leg bring the arch of the foot back against the backside of the lead supporting leg and drive the opponent’s knee forward and down while slightly rotating your torso.

Note: This kick should begin with the knee moving forward like a front kick to disguise the technique. As the knee passes the support leg the knee pushes out on a forty-five degree angle, so the kick can be delivered. This kick also use the hip to generate greater power.

Note: This kick can also be used to reap the knee forwards to break an opponent’s balance. It is important to practice returning the kick as-well-as throwing it out. 

Note: When the knee is in the beginning position it can block an opponent’s kick.