Foot and leg¶

Introduction¶

This section covers the striking surfaces of the foot and leg in Kyokushin karate.

In Masutatsu Oyama’s system, the striking surfaces of the foot form a central part of kicking technique (keri, 蹴り), while certain parts of the leg function as special striking surfaces or as contact and blocking surfaces.

The section gathers both primary striking surfaces and those surfaces that gain their function in close range, kumite, or technical contact.

Overview¶

The section comprises three main groups:

Primary foot striking surfaces¶

These form the core of Kyokushin’s kicking technique.

chūsoku (中足) – ball of the foot
sokutō (足刀) – outer edge of the foot
haisoku (背足) – instep
kakato (踵) – heel

The leg’s striking surfaces¶

These are used as clear striking surfaces in specific technical situations.

hiza (膝) – knee

Contact and blocking surfaces¶

These are used functionally in kumite, blocking, or technical control.

sune (脛) – shin
teisoku (底足) – arch / arch

Basic principles¶

All techniques in the section are based on the same basic principles.

Structure¶

correct position of foot and leg
stable joint structure
clear alignment through the body

Body connection¶

Power is transferred through the body to the striking surface or contact point.

English:
ground → supporting leg → hip → torso → kicking leg → foot/leg → striking surface

Japanese / romaji:
jimen (地面) → sasae-ashi (支え足) → koshi (腰) → dōtai (胴体) → keri-ashi (蹴り足) → ashi (足) → datotsu-bu (打突部)

Kime (決め)¶

short concentration of force
clear contact
immediate return

Balance¶

stable body before, during, and after technique
control throughout the movement

Overview of striking surfaces¶

Primary foot striking surfaces¶

Striking surface	Main contact	Basic form	Common use
Chūsoku	ball of the foot	toes retracted	front kicks, roundhouse kicks
Sokutō	outer edge of the foot	knife foot	side techniques
Haisoku	instep	foot extended	certain circular kicks
Kakato	heel	heel clearly directed	downward and backward techniques

The leg’s striking surface¶

Striking surface	Main contact	Basic form	Common use
Hiza	area above the kneecap	knee raised compactly	close range

Contact and blocking surfaces¶

Surface	Main contact	Basic form	Common use
Sune	front part of the shin	stable lower leg	blocking, leg clash
Teisoku	arch	controlled underside	contact, blocking, specialized control

Comparison of structure¶

Striking surface	Contact zone	Distance	Main function
Chūsoku	ball of the foot	medium	clear forward kicking impact
Sokutō	outer edge	medium	side impact with the edge of the foot
Haisoku	instep	medium	fast contact in circular technique
Kakato	heel	short–medium	clear heel impact
Hiza	knee zone	very short	close-range impact
Sune	shin	short	blocking and contact function
Teisoku	arch	short	control and contact function

System understanding¶

The striking surfaces of the foot and leg show that Kyokushin’s leg system is not based on a single kicking form, but on several clearly delimited contact zones.

Examples:

chūsoku – the ball of the foot as the kicking striking surface
sokutō – outer edge in side techniques
haisoku – instep in certain circular kicks
kakato – heel in specific heel techniques
hiza – knee in close range
sune – blocking and contact zone
teisoku – specialized underside contact

Together, these form a limited but functional system.

Use¶

The striking surfaces and contact points in the section are used in:

kihon
kata
kumite
technical application

The choice of surface depends, among other things, on:

distance
direction
target area
technical situation

Delimitation¶

This section covers:

the striking surfaces of the foot and leg
their structure
their function in technique

It does not primarily cover:

complete techniques
kata as a whole
kumite as a system
vital points

Summary¶

The Foot and leg section gathers Kyokushin’s central striking surfaces and contact points for the lower extremity.

It shows how different parts of the foot and leg are used for different types of contact, force transfer, blocking, and technical control.