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As a martial art of unarmed self-defense, Karate's movements focus on blows using only the hands and feet (or elbows and knees), along with special breathing and shouts from different positions. Relying mainly on high-energy punches, strikes, and kicks, Karate is similar to Korean martial arts such as Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do, however they rely more heavily on kicks.
The movements in karate target vulnerable pressure points of the human body, including those in the face, neck, spinal column, solar plexus, groin, and kidneys. In some competitions, only areas of the body above the waist are allowed to be attacked. Karate techniques are categorized into three categories: strikes, kicks, and blocks. Blocks protect specific areas of the body, while strikes and kicks allow one to direct his force in several different directions. The strength of these techniques lies in their simplicity; they are designed for practical, efficient, and spontaneous reaction in all sorts of situations. Oftentimes, karateka shout "kiai!" while performing attacks or blocks because the air that is exerted up from the stomach boosts their strength. Sudden shouts particularly help the rhythm of the attack, focusing more force in each action, while also intimidating an opponent.
The following are descriptions and depictions of only a few basic Karate techniques. The purpose is to provide the visitor with a general understanding of the basics and to show them accurately. They are by no means meant as a substitute to supervised practice under a learned instructor.
Stances
Proper stance forms the foundation of Karate; it must be learned before
any of the techniques are mastered. Balance is vital in stances, and the
body's balance point, or hara,
is always kept close to the ground to keep it centered. That is why many
stances are performed with the knees bent.
The hands are important in the protection of the body and efficient production of power. Thus, before learning any stances, one needs to position the hands properly. The proper hand position is known as the guard position.
The leading hand is held in front of the body above shoulder-level. The rear hand is held between chin and shoulder-level. The guard position is adopted in any defensive situation.
The Guard Position
The basic stances are: attention, ready, horseback, front, and back stance. Notice, these are also the basic stances in Tae Kwon Do.
Attention
Stance
The entire body is straight and relaxed, with the feet together. Toes
are pointed forward and weight is evenly distributed between both legs.
Hands are placed flat against the thighs. The attention stance is non-combatant
and used to express one's respect and discipline. It is held to focus
attention on a single thing (e.g. the instructor during a lesson or an
opponent before a match). It is often assumed before bowing as well.
The Attention Stance
Ready
Stance
Posture is straight, with eyes focused forward and feet spread shoulder
width apart, the weight distributed evenly on both feet. Feet should be
parallel with toes pointed forward. Both fists are placed about one fist's
distance from the front of the belt. The ready stance is used to prepare
oneself for an activity.
The
Ready Stance
Horseback
Stance/ Middle Stance
The body is erect and feet are spread two shoulder widths apart. Feet
are placed flat on the floor and toes are pointed forward, with the weight
distributed evenly on both feet. The knees are bent outward to lower the
pelvis and both arms are chambered to the sides. The posterior should
be directly aligned with the heels. The horseback stance is a strong position
for both attack and defense.
The
Horseback Stance
Forward/Front
Stance
A step is taken forward so that one foot is two shoulder lengths (one
and a half steps) in front of the other. The rear knee is locked straight
while the front leg is bent slightly so that the knee is directly over
the toes. The rear foot is flat, with 60% of the body weight on the front
leg and 40% on the rear leg. To maintain balance, the feet should not
be less than shoulder width (side to side). The hips are not turned. The
forward stance is a strong position for both attack and defense from the
front.
The
Foward Stance
Back
Stance
The
rear foot is turned outward at a 45 degree angle. The leading leg is placed
one and a half shoulder widths in front. Both knees are bent outward.
Sixty percent of the weight is on the rear leg, while 40 percent is on
the lead leg. The heel of the rear leg should be aligned with the front
foot. Eyes are focused towards the front and the chest is turned 45 degrees
away from the front. The back stance utilizes all sides' strength while
enabling mobility. Because the turned chest also reduces the opponent's
target, it is effective for combat.
The
Back Stance
Strikes
Karate strikes include knife-hands, punches, and jabs. While striking,
it is best to gradually gather speed, so that the fist is most tense before
hitting the target. The three basic Karate punches are: the straight,
lunge, and reverse punch.
Straight
Punch
The
straight punch is used to practice the proper form of delivering a punch
(not used for sparring). Students should be in horseback stance only while
practicing this punch. First, one fist is extended forward so that it
is directly in front of the center line of the body. The un-extended fist
is brought back alongside the belt in a "chamber" position.
Then, the two actions are reversed and the rear fist is driven forward,
passing the lead arm that is being chambered. During this process, the
hands twist naturally, so that each punch ends with the punching hand
palm down and rear hand palm up.
Straight
Punch
Lunge
Punch
This
punch is basically the straight punch with added motion. At the same time
that the punch is thrown, the leading leg steps forward into the forward
stance. The aim is for the punch to make contact as the foot stops,
so that one's body weight adds momentum to it.
Reverse
Punch
The
body in guard position, the rear hand delivers a
straight punch. This carries much power since the hips are shifted, and
the shoulders are snapped and turned at the moment of impact. The hips
are turned, directly facing the target. The striking hand is extended
at the target. The dramatic shift in weight by the hips and raised rear
foot power the reverse punch. It is considered one of the most powerful
striking techniques and is often used as the finishing blow in sparring.
In order for strikes to be most effective, students must learn proper hand positioning. Again, the four basic Karate hand positions are those of Tae Kwon Do.
Reverse
Punch (474 kb)
The
Fist
One
must begin with the fingers closed tightly to prevent them from yielding
at the moment of impact. The thumb should be tucked against the first
two fingers to reinforce their strength and so that it is not caught on
anything during the strike. These two precautions help to prevent injury.
A proper fist is started with the hand open. The fingers are then curled
into the palm, and the thumb is tightly attached to the first two fingers.
The fist and forearm are extended straight, not moving the wrist, because
any bend might cause serious injury. The punch's power sources are the
first two knuckles, which are larger than the others.
The
Fist
The
Knife-Hand
The fingers (open hand) are pressed together tightly, with the tips curled
inward slightly. If hit, this protects them from being broken since they
will automatically curled inward. The thumb is bent and attached to the
side of the hand so that it will not be caught during the punch. The striking
surface is the edge of the hand with the pinky finger.
The
Knife-Hand
The
Ridge Hand
The
same position is assumed as in knife-hand. The differences are that the
thumb is tucked flat against the palm for protection and the striking
surface is the edge of the hand with the thumb.
The
Ridge-Hand
The
Spear Fingers
The same position is assumed as in knife-hand.
The difference is that the striking surface is the tips of the fingers.
Kicks
Kicking techniques are vital in all styles of Karate. If learnt correctly,
they can be a powerful means of distancing oneself from an opponent. Although
Karate does not place as much of an emphasis on the legs as Tae Kwon Do,
it uses similar techniques. Karate's four main kicking techniques are:
the side, roundhouse, front and back kick.
Side
Kick
A
quick step is taken behind the leading foot, turning the hips away from
the target. The knee of the kicking leg is raised and the heel is tucked
toward the posterior. The hips are shifted as the foot is raised, with
the bottom of the foot pointing at the target. The leg is eventually straightened,
driving the foot's "blade" toward the target. The non-kicking
foot should point 180 degrees away from the target. After the kicking
leg has struck, it should be quickly chambered. The side kick is considered
one of the most powerful kicking techniques in Tae Kwon Do. Variations
include the jumping side kick.
Jumping
Side Kick (378 kb)
Roundhouse
Kick
The
knee is bent while the kicking foot is raised to the side. Next, the leg
is straightened to swing the foot around the target. The blow is finally
landed when the leg is completely extended. To maintain balance, the supporting
foot should not leave the floor. The instep is the striking surface. The
roundhouse kick is used to deliver blows from a 90 degree angle, and is
powered by the rotation of the body.
Roundhouse
Kick (474 kb)
Front
Kick
The
knee of the kicking leg is raised towards the target. The leg is snapped
out until straight at the target. The instep or ball of the foot can be
used in the front kick. The strike should be completely quickly so that
an opponent has less time to attack the leg.
Front
Kick (473 kb)
Back Kick
The
back leg takes a step forward and the head quickly turns toward the back.
Next, the kicking leg is raised, and the corresponding foot is thrust
backward. The heel is the striking surface. A spinning back kick is primarily
used to deliver blows in the rear direction.
Back
Kick (475 kb)
Blocks
Instead of stopping strikes, Karateka learn to deflect them with blocks.
The five major blocks in Karate are: the high, low, knife-hand, middle
inner and middle outer block.
High
Block
The blocking arm is thrust upward, with the forearm angled approximately
45 degrees, until it is about one fist's distance above the top of the
head. This serves to block the entire head. The rising block defends the
head and shoulders from a downward attack, and the face from a direct
attack; the idea is to lift the opponent's strike above the head.
High
Block (122 kb)
Low
Block
The blocking arm is raised to the opposite site of the head with the palm
facing the ear and then swept down across the front of the body. The fist
stops in front of the center of the belt with the forearm angled downward
at approximately 45 degrees. The other arm is retracted to the side. The
down block defends the middle and lower parts of the body.
Low
Block
Knife-Hand
Block
The
blocking hand, in knife-hand position (link to strikes section), is brought
to the opposite side of the head. Then it is snapped out, crossing the
face with the palm out and hand aligned with the shoulder. The knife-hand
block can be used to protect both the upper and lower body from direct
attacks.
Knife-Hand
Block
Middle
Inner Forearm Block
Beginning with the body in forward stance, the opposite fist is extended
forward. It is then drawn back to the ear, and the chambered non-blocking
arm is brought across the chest. At the same time, the leading foot and
supporting foot switch places. The un-blocking forearm is wiped down wards,
while the blocking fist is chambered. The supporting foot steps forward
as well. The middle inner forearm block is used to deflect the attack
to the side.
Middle
Inner Forearm Block
Middle
Outer Forearm Block
Beginning
with the body in forward stance, the opposite fist is extended. The leading
leg is brought back, and the blocking hand is placed under the right armpit,
palms down. The supporting leg now takes the place of the leading leg.
The blocking fist is brought up, palm up. The middle outer forearm block
primarily uses the forearm area below the thumb.
Middle
Outer Forearm Block
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