The karate strokes in Shotokan are very simple, classic and basic. This hit is direct, linear, and powerful enough to overpower your opponent in one fell swoop. Here's how to get the shot right.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Standing Blow
Step 1. Get into a comfortable position
You can use Natural Attitude, shizentai, or a low attitude as if riding a horse, kiba-dachi.
- Make sure the distance between the two legs is right. In a natural stance both feet should be shoulder width apart.
- Keep your legs flexible, making sure your knees are not locked.
Step 2. Squeeze your fists and bring them to your pelvis, palms facing up
Your fist rests on your side.
- The body should be slightly relaxed but still alert and focused on the opponent.
- Choose one of the two targets. If you want to hit the body, chuudan, shoot at the part just below the ribs, aka the solar plexus. If you want to hit the face, jodan, aim at the face. If you feel you lack control, the instructor may ask you to shoot under the face for safety reasons.
- Aiming at other body parts is ineffective.
- If you're not training with a partner, imagine your life-size target in front of you.
Step 3. Hit straight
Imagine a straight line from the fist to the center of the target.
- Keep both elbows together so that the stroke is straight. Elbows should touch the sides of your body.
- Keep your body flexible all the way through to the end.
Step 4. “Connect” with your target
When training with a partner, "connect" means stopping the punch right before it hits the opponent. If you use a target, for example a makiwara, the punch cannot be stopped.
- Rotate your fist so your palm is facing down.
- Tighten your muscles as you land your punch. Make sure you tighten your fists, arms, buttocks, legs and pelvis.
- Exhale. Kiai, if you want.
- If your karate is advanced, add a pelvic vibration technique to maximize its strength.
Step 5. Repeat, or return to the initial stance
Keep your focus, don't let it falter.
Method 2 of 3: Crashing Blow (Oizuki)
Step 1. Get into the forward stance, zenkutsu-dachi
Keep both feet in the correct position, shoulder-width apart.
- If you look at your front knee, the sole of your foot will be blocked by the knee. The thumb should go in slightly, about 85 degrees.
- Test your balance by having someone push you.
- Make sure the protective hand is in front, and the hitting hand is at the hip.
Step 2. Move forward to hit
Pull the back leg forward until the foot is in line with the front leg.
- Don't move. Head height should always remain the same.
- Keep the fist on the hip, in the same place.
- You can lengthen the protective fist if you want.
- Slide the back leg forward. Feet do not move off the floor.
- The back leg doesn't move straight forward, but the middle moves toward your body.
Step 3. Lunge forward towards the opponent
Kick off with the back leg, keep the body low, and keep the fist in the pelvis.
- Make sure both legs are gently bent, to provide maximum power from the lunge.
- Don't tense up.
- Focus on the target, both the body and the face of the opponent.
Step 4. Connect with targets. Rotate the fist so that the palm is facing down when the connect is made.
- Exhale, or Kiai.
- Tighten your muscles while hitting. The back leg should be straight and all the muscles should be tightened, so the power flows from the leg all the way to the fist.
- Front foot back to shoulder-width apart to land in a firm position.
Step 5. Return to the front stance position
Method 3 of 3: Reverse Blow (Gyaku-zuki)
Step 1. The secret of an effective gyaku-zuki is pelvic rotation
The power of the punch comes from the rotation of the pelvis, just like throwing a ball.
Step 2. Get into the forward stance, zenkutsu-dachi
Make sure your feet are in the correct position, shoulder-width apart.
- Have someone push you to test your balance.
- Make sure the protective hand is in front and the hitting hand is at the hip.
Step 3. Rotate the body
Start the rotation from the pelvis.
- The rear legs also add power to the spin.
- Come quickly to the opponent, the fist remains on the pelvis.
- Don't move, keep your head at the same height.
Step 4. Turn the head and connect on the target
Turn the fist so that the palm is facing down just before connecting.
- Hit the center line of your target. A reverse shot with the right or left hand must always hit the same spot in the center of the target.
- When connecting, lock the body momentarily while tightening the muscles for maximum strength.
- Exhale or Kiai when connecting.
Step 5. Return to the initial stance or repeat
Tips
- Tighten up only when the fist is about to hit
- Adjust the punch to the situation. If your opponent has their back to you, aim for the head or the kidneys.
- Don't tense up before hitting. This will only slow you down.
Warning
- Follow the safety procedures of the instructor.
- It is advised to be very careful when hitting the head/face of a sparring partner. A blow to the stomach with less force is relatively safe for the opponent.
