The Karate Kid Kick
The Karate Kid Kick
The Karate Kid is a 1984 motion picture directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita and Elisabeth Shue. It is a martial arts movie and an underdog story in the mold of a previous Avildsen movie success, the 1976 mega hit boxing film Italian-American underdog hero Rocky. It was a commercial success upon first release, and has retained its popular following throughout the years. The movie a film designed to tackle bullying and prejudice, also received favorable critical attention earning actor Pat Morita an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
A popular question many people have, after seeing the movie is what is the karate kid kick? The famous karate kid kick which is not really a karate move but a kung fu one is called the The crane kick or “crane technique“. It has its beginnings in Southern Shaolin Kung Fu.While the exact technique shown in the motion picture may not be authentic, its movements are based upon those of the real crane techniques which exist in many different variations in diverse styles of martial arts, karate included. It is used and/or referenced in The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid, Part II, and The Karate Kid, Part III.
To use the crane technique, the user puts both arms to his sides, raises his arms, and collapses his wrists over his head. The user simultaneously raises his left knee up to about stomach level. He waits for his opponent to come forward, and then the user leaps off his right foot, at the same time dropping his left foot to the ground, and kicks his opponent with his right foot.
The crane kick was used against an adversary only two times in the movies. Once, in Part I, by Daniel La Russo (Ralph Macchio) in the final round of the “All Valley Karate Tournament” against John Lawrence (William Zabka); and second, in Part II, by Daniel in the ancient castle in Okinawa, Japan against Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). Daniel’s instructor and friend, Kesuke Miyagi or lovingly, “Mr. Miyagi,” (Pat Morita) taught Daniel the kick. Mr. Miyagi states that “If do right, no can defence.” It is a combo of the “crane stance” and “chicken snap kick”
Director: John G. Avildsen
Writer: Robert Mark Kamen
Cast: Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), Pat Morita (Mr. Kesuke Miyagi), Elisabeth Shue (Ali Mills), Martin Kove (John Kreese), Randee Heller (Lucille LaRusso), William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), Ron Thomas (Bobby), Rob Garrison (Tommy), Chad McQueen (Dutch), Tony O’Dell (Jimmy), Israel Jurabe (Freddy Fernandez), Larry B. Scott (Jerry), William Basett (Mr. Mills) & Pat E. Johnson (Referee)
