foot position

[Nadine]

Maybe a really dumb question, but when doing a front kick and hitting with the ball of the foot, should one adduct the toes and the whole foot, or should one adduct the toes but strecht out the foot?

[andyb28]

In the style of Karate I do, it's taught so that your foot is in the position as if you were pointing your toes, but your toes are curled back so that you hit with the ball of your foot.

[Mano]

What does your teacher say?

[Nadine]

What does your teacher say?

I can't remember him saying anything about the position of the entire foot, just that we have to adduct the toes...
Maybe the position of the foot has to be dependent from the distance to the target, especially if one maybe can't adduct the toes so much.?

[andyb28]

I would have thought most styles teach it like this.

[Mano]

This is really the sort of question you should discuss with your teacher, because how you should kick depends on stuff like how you use your kicks and what sort of body mechanics do you use to generate force, and those vary according to style. But basically, if you have trouble curling the toes back (a broken toe, perhaps?), you'll just have to adapt. Use a different kind of kick instead (kick with the toes or the heel), or come up with a way to do the proper version. If it's about skill, train more; if it's about mobility, consult a doctor or a physiotherapist.

If I were you, I'd ask my teacher.

[CEB]

Or just kick with your toes. That works pretty good for me.

Or adduct everything and drive the heel. That works too.

[Wasabi Rocks]

I agree with Andyb... that pic that was posted says it all as well. But when-ever in doubt ask your teacher. thats why they are there!

[CEB]

I would rather see more extension on the ankle but that is just me.

[De_Franza]

To kick with the ball of the foot, you MUST point the foot out, like in the illustration.

just my $0.02

[CEB]

No it needs to point out MORE. You want to kick in not up.

Penetration is good.

[andyb28]

No it needs to point out MORE. You want to kick in not up.

Penetration is good.

I agree, but I couldn't find an example of that to illustrate.

[De_Franza]

Point taken, I meant and should have said so more clearly.
I meant out in the direction of the kick, the ball can't be back towards the knee or there's no ball only contact with the target.
I think we're saying the same thing.