Knee Pop Stomp

The Knee Pop is a bend of the knee that gets the foot off the floor as Nage starts to step forward. This causes Nage to be falling forwards much more than in a normal step. Then Nage's foot reaches forward and stomps the floor to keep Nage's face from hitting the floor. The basic Kuta practice stance is with the feet beside each other and about shoulder width apart. Kuta really has no stance. The techniques can be done from any position. The Knee Pop Stomp works when one foot slides forwards and when Nage takes a full step. The slide is shown where the same foot pops and stomps. In a step the lead foot pops and the rear foot stomps when it comes forward to the ground.

I now conceptualize this as Jumping as shown in the section called Jump in Aiki Basics. Some students find this easier to understand at first so I have included the Knee Pop Stomp.

Example 1, Knee Pop Stomp Moving Front Foot

Movie of Knee Pop Stomp Moving Front Foot.

Fig. 1 Start of Strike		Fig. 2 Knee Pop

1. Fig. 1 shows the start position.
2. Fig. 2 shows Nage leaning forward falling with the knee bent and the foot well up in the air. The rear leg also drives Nage forward.

   Fig. 3 Stomp

3. Fig. 3 shows the stomp that comes after the target is struck.
4. The Knee Pop Stomp adds an amazing amount of power and speed to the action.

Example 2, Knee Pop Stomp Moving Rear Foot

Movie of Knee Pop Stomp Moving Rear Foot.

Fig. 4 Start of Strike		Fig. 5 Knee Pop

1. Fig. 4 shows the start position.
2. Fig. 5 shows the Knee Pop with Nage's leading knee. Nage is falling into the target. The rear leg also drives Nage forward.

   Fig. 6 Stomp

3. In Fig. 6 Nage's rear leg has stepped forward and Nage's rear foot stomps deep beside Uke.