Instructions for a Front Kick (Ball of Foot)

This page provides details on how to do a martial arts front kick that strikes the target with the ball of the foot. Most basic front kicks either hit the target with the top of the foot (instep) or the ball of the foot. While a front kick is a very basic kick, it is useful for self-defense situations such as kicking an attacker in the groin.

A front kick that strikes with the ball of the foot is most commonly used in martial arts such as Karate. In Karate, this kick is known as Mae Geri. For more instructions on different martial arts kicks, please visit our main kicking techniques page.

Technique Instructions

• Raise your knee
• Thrust your foot forward
• Hit the target with the ball of your foot
• Make sure your toes are bent upwards (away from target) as it is easy to break your toes with a misplaced kick
• Quickly withdraw your leg (to avoid being grabbed) and move back into a fighting position