List of Karate Punches and Hand Strikes with Instructions
List of Karate Punches & Hand Strikes with Instructions This section will help you to learn a variety of Karate punches & hand strikes (and the Japanese names for these Karate techniques). However, please be aware that these strikes can vary slightly based on the Karate styles that utilize them (i.e. a Shotokan strike may be slightly different than a Kyokushin strike). These punches & strikes are used in self-defense, Karate kata, Karate kumite, etc. If you are looking for the Japanese names & information on elbow strikes, please visit the Karate Elbow Strikes section. For information on punches used by other martial arts styles, please visit the main Punches & Strikes section. Karate Punches & Hand Strikes - Click on a punch for video and/or written instructions Age-Zuki (Age-Tsuki) - Rising PunchChoku-Zuki (Choku-Tsuki) - Straight Punch
Choku-Zuki (Choku-Tsuki) or "Straight Punch". The video provides details on how to do a Karate straight punch.</p> ZUKI (punches) - a thrust of a sword (usually called CHOKU-TSUKI) is a thrust blow, throwing a SEIKEN, performed at the target straight ahead of you. Rotate your forearm inward 180 degrees and straighten your arm as if a spear were thrust forward from your side. This action communicates a strong blow to the target. CHOKU-ZUKI aimed at the face is called YODAN-CHOKUZUKI (overhead straight punch). YODAN is the upper level. CHOKU-ZUKI directed to the solar plexus is called CHUDAN-CHOKU-ZUKI (medium straight blow). CHUDAN - intermediate level. CHOKU-ZUKI directed to the groin area is called GEDAN-CHOKU-ZUKI (bottom straight kick). GEDAN - lower level. It is a completely straight punch, piercing, fast and powerful, completely different from any other fist, from other martial arts such as jab, straight or whatever you want to call it in Muay Thai, royal boxing or boxing technique. , The part of the ZUKI from the position attached to the side of the body can pass depending on the school from the height of the belt (obi) to the height of the chest. Although the vast majority of schools place it at floating rib height, something above the waist. When throwing a tsuki, the cam part is in a supine position (with fingers up), and as it moves, it rotates 180 °, turning in a prone position (with fingers pointing down) Gyaku-Zuki (Gyaku-Tsuki) - Reverse Punch Gyaku-ZUKI technique
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Basic Karate Punches
To effectively attack the enemy, certain principles are used that are applied in almost all attacks. They are conventionally subdivided into three parts: physical, psychological and psychological-physical.
Physical principle
For a strong and effective strike, an extremely concentrated force is required using the reaction force of the support. The manifestation of maximum strength depends on the degree of muscle contraction. It looks like a compressed spring. The more it is compressed, the stronger will be the impact force after release. The force of the punch also depends on the rotation of the fist during the punch, which is similar to a drill. In addition, it depends on the duration of the blow: the shorter the contact time, the stronger the blow.
Concentration of power
To concentrate the force, it is necessary to reduce the impact surface as much as possible, imagining that the impact is not applied to the surface of the object, but much deeper. The ancient masters said: "If you hit the solar plexus, aim for the spine." The blows are applied not only with the hand, but with the whole body weight. The concentration of force is made in one direction and depends on the sequence of muscle contraction: first, heavier and slower muscles, then the limbs.
For example, during a punch or kick, the thighs and lower back muscles work first, then the arms or legs. This allows you to bring all the muscles to the maximum speed and tension during impact, the result of this will be the ultimate strength.
In karate there is such a law: the hips are first involved in the movement, and then the legs or arms. For this reason, during the fight, the hips and abdominal muscles are weakly tense - a position that allows you to instantly tense these muscles.
Using the force of reaction
This is based on Newton's famous third law: the force of action is equal to the force of reaction. You can try the following interesting exercise yourself. Stand up, turning so that the state of balance reaches the limit. Pull the arm forward and quickly pull it back, the body will lose balance and bend forward. This principle is used in karate as follows: one hand strikes, the other is pulled back to the starting position with extreme speed. The resulting reactive force is transmitted through the body to the striking arm, increasing the force of the strike.
Three psychological principles: calm consciousness, clear consciousness and the merging of will with consciousness.
Calm consciousness
During the fight, the consciousness of the karateist should be like a smooth surface of water. By force of will, the karateist suppresses various feelings (fear * hatred, cruelty, pity). Consciousness should be free from various thoughts.
Clear consciousness All actions of the karateists are prudent and balanced.
Merging will with consciousness
In karate and not only in karate, in order to achieve great success, a large place is given to will. It is by the fusion of willpower and consciousness that it is possible to overcome all difficulties, to preserve fighting spirit and a sense of human dignity at critical moments. A karate fighter is guided by an unwritten law: karate can only be used for higher purposes.
Psychological-physical principle
(kime)
Kim (focusing) in karate means concentrating all forces (psychological and physical). Concentration should take place at the moment of impact with the shortest duration. A necessary part of kime is kiai - shout. With kiai, psychological energy is added to physical energy. At the moment of impact, muscle tension reaches its highest point, the whole body turns to stone and turns into a blow. Muscle tension begins at the moment of contact and reaches its limit when immersed in the opponent's body. The next moment, the muscles relax. The screaming and exhalation must be stopped during an abrupt stop of the striking part. When you exhale, you should not completely let the air out of your lungs, this helps kima.
Seiken chudan tsuki
This blow is mainly delivered to the opponent's solar plexus with the front of the fist (seiken). First you need to clench your fists and stretch your arms forward so that the fists touch each other symmetrically to the axis running along the body. Then you need your left hand, turning, take the cool chest (hikite). The right hand remains in the same position. This position is the starting point.
When a blow is struck with the left hand, swing the right fist to the right chest. A sharp and quick abduction of the hand is very important (it must be performed as if the elbow is being kicked back), because. this enhances the impact of the other hand. When developing a strike, one should not rush. The blows must be delivered at intervals of one second. Since the retracted hand is ready to strike, it is necessary to consider the strike process as a continuous movement.
At the moment of impact, it is necessary to strongly tighten the abdominal muscles, biceps, shoulders, elbows and hands, as well as muscles and toes. To explain this mechanism of impact, the following interesting diagram is given in many books.
It should also be remembered that:
a) the striking fist moves in a straight line;
b) the elbow of the striking arm is not fully extended;
c) the wrist of the striking hand should be straight and tense;
d) at the moment of impact, one must exhale, and then inhale.
Seiken jodan tsuki
This blow is delivered in the same way as the seiken chudan tsuki, with the only difference that the blow is delivered to the opponent's face.
Seiken gedan tsuki
The blow is delivered in the same way, but on the lower body of the opponent.
Tate tsuki
This blow is similar to the previous ones and is also performed at three levels: jodan (upper), chudan (middle) and gedan (lower). It differs in that during tate tsuki the fist rotates not 180 °, but 90 °.
Gyaku tsuki
Gyaku tsuki (opposite tsuki) includes those blows in which the exposed right leg corresponds to a blow with the left hand, and vice versa. Take the left (hidari) zenkutsu dachi position (put your left foot forward). Move the left hand forward, and put the right under the armpit of the right hand (hikite). Turn the body 45 °, push the left shoulder forward. Bend your right leg slightly at the knee. Perform rotational movements of the hips, maintaining the same level throughout the rotation. Straighten the hind leg, moving the center of gravity forward, while simultaneously striking with the right hand (left hand at the left chest - hikite). At the last stage, all movements stop abruptly at the same time, and the muscles contract. The torso rotates 45 °, the shoulders are at the same level. During the application of gyaku tsuki, the force of rotation of the hips is transferred to the chest,
It should be remembered that the legs, hips, arms and fists form a single whole at the moment of striking and tense (kime).
An abrupt stop of the exhalation is also very important.
During training, you should do the following exercises:
a) slowly, tensely strike a blow, paying attention to the interaction and simultaneous actions of all parts of the body;
b) perform the initial stage slowly and tensely before the fists meet, and accelerate the next stage;
c) execute the blow quickly and tensely, paying attention to the simultaneous action of the hands.
Oi tsuki
Oi tsuki is usually called a blow that is delivered with the hand corresponding to the exposed leg, but this is the blow that is also performed with a wide step. The starting position is hidari zenkutsu dachi. Step with your back (right) foot and take a moment (right) zenkutsu dachi while striking with your right fist.
If the step is performed with the left foot, then the blow is applied with the left hand, and vice versa. As in all cases, this blow is applied very quickly, at the last stage, the movement is abruptly stopped, straining the muscles.
Seiken ago teach
In the initial position, the arms are raised, the blow is made at the upper level (jodan). This blow is distinguished by the fact that the force of the blow is increased not by rotating the hips, but by sharply straightening the elbow and pushing the shoulder girdle forward. It also differs in that during a blow, the fist is sharply retracted. When the fist reaches the target, it does not stop, but immediately returns to its original position. At the moment of contact, the fist rotates 90 °.
Shita tsuki avaze tsuki
This hit is good for close combat. From the position of kiba dachi, strike at the opponent's solar plexus. After reaching the goal, the fist stops abruptly and is pulled back very quickly. The main thing is that at the moment of contact, the hips move forward.
Jui tsuki
(kick to the side)
The movement is performed with the transition from the position of zenkutsu dachi to kiba dachi. The movement of the hips stops simultaneously with the impact. Make sure that the transitions are performed at the same level.
Morote Heiko Tsuki
The blow is applied simultaneously with two hands, similar to the blow of the seiken chudan tsuki.
Avaze tsuki
During the strike, one hand performs jodan tsuki, and the other - hurra tsuki. Hurray tsuki - a short blow without forearm rotation.
Pit tsuki
The strike is similar to the tsuki awaza, but the arms are spread wider. The forearms are in the same plane and parallel to each other.
Uraken mawashi uchi
In the starting position, keep your fist behind your back. The blow is applied to the opponent's temple in a circular rotation. At the moment of contact, abruptly stop the movement, use the force of rotation of the hips.
Jodan age tsuki
The blow is applied to the jaw of the opponent with a fist rising from the bottom up. At the moment of impact, the knees are slightly raised, using the force of gravity of the body. In the final stage, the entire body is straightened, and the fingers of the fist are pointing inward.
Uraken shomen teach
Keep fists at face level with palms inward, elbows at chest. Strike the opponent in the face, sharply straightening the elbow. At the moment of contact, the fist is quickly retracted back to its original position. The fist does not rotate during this blow.
Uraken saui uchi
The fists are at the chest before impact. Bring the fist to the side and at the moment of impact return to its original position.
Uraken hizo uchi
Put your fists on top of each other above the lower back, palms inward. The blow is performed in a horizontal plane in a circular motion to the opponent's liver. At the moment of the impact, the fist is sharply retracted.
Uraken gunmen irrigate teach
In the starting position, the striking hand is behind the head. Rotating your hips forward, open your elbow and strike from top to bottom. At the moment of impact, the fist drops sharply down.
Shuto Sakotsu teach
A blow with the edge of the palm (shuto) on the opponent's collarbone. The blow is performed from top to bottom. At the moment of contact, the elbow does not fully open. All power is concentrated in the striking hand.
Shuto yoko gunmen teach
Keep the palm of the hand near the ear. Turning half-turn, hit the enemy in the temple.
At the moment of impact, the movements of the arms and body should be abruptly suspended, and the abdominal muscles tightened. In the same way, the shuto hizo uchi strike is performed at the intermediate level.
Shuto sakotsu teach komi
The blow is delivered to the opponent's collarbone. It differs from the rest of the blows in that the blow is delivered in a straight line from; chest. At the moment of contact, the body and arms are sharply tense.
Tetsui irrigate gamen teach
This blow is very similar to the shuto sakotsu uchi, with the only difference that the blow is delivered with a fist - the muscles near the little finger.
Tetsui hizo uchi
The starting position is the same as in the previous case. This blow describes a semicircle.
Tetsui Komi Kame
This blow is applied in the same way, but to the temple of the enemy.
Shuto teach
The blow is applied with the edge of the palm from the inside out with a rotational movement.
At the moment of impact, all movements are suspended, and the muscles of the body are tense.
Jodan shotei teach
The technique for performing such blows is the same as in tsuki-type blows, but here the blows are applied with the pad of the palm (shotei).
Hiji age uchi
This is an elbow strike to the opponent's jaw from the bottom up. When performing a blow, you need to use the force of gravity of the body. On impact, the knees are straightened, and the muscles are strongly tense. You should pay attention to the fact that the fist of the striking hand is directed with the palm inward.
Jodan hiji ate
This is a very strong and unexpected blow, very effective in close combat.
In the starting position, take the hand to the chest (hikite). Bend the elbow well and, rotating half-turned in a horizontal plane, strike into the face or chest of the opponent. At the moment of impact, the fist should be close to the opposite shoulder, and the other hand in hikit. Rotating the hips helps the punch a lot. At the moment of contact, all muscles are tense.
Hiji irish uchi
This is a very strong blow. It is necessary to sit down sharply and deeply and, using all the weight of the body, strike from top to bottom with a tense elbow. During the impact, the fist rotates inward. Care should be taken to ensure that the body is perpendicular to the floor during the impact. At the moment of contact, all the muscles in the body are tense.
Yoko hiji ate
The blow is applied with the elbow to the side, into the chest or solar plexus of the opponent. It is convenient to strike from the position of kiba dachi. Turn your head to the right, keep your left fist at your right thigh, and your right fist at your chest with your palm inward.
To pull back the left hand in hikit, at the same time push the right elbow strongly to the right, turning the fist inward. On impact, the palm of the right fist points down. Keep your forearm as close to your chest as possible.
Seiken mawashi uchi
This blow is performed with a rotational movement both on the upper level - jodan, and on the lower - chudan.
Haito teach
The blow is performed on all three levels: jodan, chudan and gedan, both with one and two hands.
Oyayubi jodan kei
Rotating your hand, hit the opponent's temple with the base of your thumb.
Hiraken
Hiraken is performed both with a rotational movement (hiraken mawashi uchi) and a straight movement (hiraken tsuki).
Keiko teach
The blow is mainly applied to the eyes of the opponent.
Jodan touho teach
The blow is similar to tsuki blows. Very effective when hitting the enemy's throat. In the same way, the Nukite (spear-hand) strike is performed, which is especially effective when applied to the enemy's eye, throat and solar plexus.