Terminology

CHOKU-ZUKI (Straight Punch)

Performed from Hachiji-dachi, also known as Kara-zuki.

GYAKU-ZUKI (Reverse Punch)

Performed from Zenkutsu-dachi by twisting the hips from a 45° angle to front with hips and shoulders square. Opposite legs forward to hand that is punching.

OI-ZUKI (Lunge Punch)

Performed by stepping forward into Zenkutsu-dachi with hips and shoulders square to the front. Same leg is forward as hand that is punching.

SANBON-ZUKI (Three Consecutive Punches)

For example, step forward as in Oi-zuki and perform one Jodan punch followed by two Chudan punches.

KIZAMI-ZUKI (Jabbing Punch)

Performed from Zenkutsu-dachi with hips and shoulders at a 45° angle.

KAGI-ZUKI (Hook Punch)

Performed with elbow bent at a 90° angle and forearm parallel to your body, the arm is tilted slightly downwards in the Mizue Nagare (Flowing Water) position, as used in Heian Godan.

AGE-ZUKI (Rising Punch)

Performed by extending arm downwards and bringing it up with arm straight, striking with the back of fist as used in Enpi.

URA-ZUKI (Close Punch)

Short punch with wrist facing up; route is forward and slightly up.

NAGASHI-ZUKI (Flowing Punch)

Similar to Oi-zuki; can be used either moving forward or back while hips are at 45° angle.

MAWASHI-ZUKI (Round Punch)

Performed by swinging fist in a wide arc from hip to target and simultaneously twisting hips.

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SEIKEN (Fore-Fist)

Punching with first two knuckles - most widely used Karate.

IPPON-KEN (One-Knuckle Fist)

First knuckle of index finger protrudes slightly.

NAKADAKA-KEN (Middle-Finger Knuckle Fist)

As Ippon Ken but knuckle of middle finger protrudes.

HIRAKEN (Fore-Knuckle Fist)

Tips of the fingers are bent to touch the palm.

TEISHO (Palm-Heel)

As used in Jitte and Jion.

SEIRYUTO (Ox-Jaw Hand)

As used in Hangetsu.

KUMADE (Bear-Hand)

KEITO (Chicken-Head Wrist)

As used in Unsu and Gojushiho-dai.

KAKUTO (Bent Wrist)

WASHIDE (Eagle-Hand)

As used in Gojushiho-dai.

URAKEN (Back Fist)

Striking with top of first and second knuckle, performed with a snap of the elbow. Examples of use are: horizontally from chest, or up and striking downwards, as used in Heian Sandan.

TETTSUI (Hammer Fist)

Striking with bottom of fist, for example as used in Heian Shodan.

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SHUTO-UCHI Knife Hand Strike

Striking with outside edge of hand. Variations include: Shuto Soto Mawashi-uchi (circular knife-hand strike from outside inwards) with back of hand facing the floor, Shuto uchi Mawashi-uchi (circular knife-hand strike from inside outwards) with back of hand facing up; can also be used by ; bringing the striking edge straight down, etc.

HAITO (Ridge-Hand)

Striking with inside edge of hand.

NUKITE Spear-Hand)

Either Shihon-nukite with four fingers held tightly together or striking with tips of first three fingers as in Heian Nidan or Nihon-nukite with index and middle fingers held apart used for striking to the eyes, as in Chinte; or Ippon-nukite with only the index finger held out.

HAISHO (Back Hand)

Striking with back of hand

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MAE-EMPI-UCHI (Forward Elbow Strike)

YOKO-EMPI-UCHI (Side Elbow Strike)

USHIRO-EMPI-UCHI (Back Elbow Strike)

MAE-MAWASHI-EMPI-UCHI (Forward Round Elbow Strike)

USHIRO-MAWASHI-EMPI-UCHI (Back Round Elbow Strike)

AGE-EMPI-UCHI (Upward Elbow Strike)

OTOSHI-EMPI-UCHI (Downwards Elbow Strike)

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AWASE-ZUKI (U - Punch)

Two simultaneous punches, upper fist aims Jodan Gyakuzaki, lower fist aims Chudan Ura-zuki, as used in Nijushiho.

YAMA-ZUKI (Wide U-Punch)

As U-punch but upper fist punches up and over in a slight curve, as used in Bassai Dai.

HEIKO-ZUKI (Parallel Punch)

Two simultaneous punches side by side, as used in Bassai Sho and Meikyo.

HASAMI ZUKI- (Scissor Punch)

Two simultaneous punches performed by fists coming out from hips in a wide arc to the target, i.e. both sides of the opponent's body, as in Chinte.

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AGE-UKE (Upper block)

From Jodan attack- Performed by bringing the blocking arm from the hip, upwards to a point just above the forehead and twisting the forearm so that the back of the fist is pointing towards you.

UDE-UKE (Forearm Block)

SOTO-UDE-UKE (Forearm Block from Outside Inwards)

For Chudan attack- Performed by raising blocking arm to the side of the head with elbow bent at a 90° angle and bringing it in a wide arc across the body twisting the forearm on contact so back of fist ends facing forward and top of fist is level with the shoulder.

UCHI-UDE-UKE (Blocking from Inside Outwards)

For Chudan attack - Performed by bringing the fist of the blocking arm across the body from under the non-blocking arm to a terminal position the same as Ude-uke.

GEDAN-BARAI (Downward Block)

For Gedan attack - Performed by bringing the fist of the blocking arm from the top of the opposite shoulder to a point approximately 6" above the knee.

SHUTO-UKE (Knife - Hand Block)

For Chudan attack - Performed by bringing the open blocking hand from the top of the opposite shoulder to a terminal position as in Ude-uke but with palm of the open hand facing front. Non-blocking hand draws back to solar| plexus with palm facing up.

The above blocks have the same leg forward as the arm that is blocking eg. Left leg forward, left arm blocks; non-blocking arm points the direction and is drawn back to the hip (except Shuto-uke) at the same time that the block is executed. Hips end at 45° angle and arm and hip movements should be synchronised.

Gyaku-age-uke, Gyaku-ude-uke, Gyaku-uchi-uke and Gyaku-gedan-barai.

The above reverse blocks have the opposite leg forward to the arm which is blocking. The stance will be shorter and the hips are reversed i.e. if the right arm is blocking the right shoulder and hip will be forward at a 45° angle but left leg will be in front.

TATE-SHUTO-UKE (Vertical Knife -Hand Block)

Elbow is straight and wrist bent but firm.

KAKE-SHUTO-UKE (Hooking Knife-Hand Block)

Similar to Tate-shuto-uke but body swings further round to the back.

HAISHU-UKE (Back-Hand Block)

Similar movement to Uraken, striking with back of hand to opponents arm, as in Heian Godan.

OTOSHI-UKE (Dropping Block)

Arm is bent at a 90° angle as in Ude-Uke but drops down from above your head to strike opponents forearm.

HIJI-SURI-UKE (Elbow Sliding Block)

This is a combination block and punch; the elbow is slightly bent for the block then straightens in a snapping motion deliver the punch, as used in Heian Nidan.

SHUTO-GEDAN- BARAI (Knife-Hand Downward Sweep)

Used in Heian Yondan.

HAITO-GEDAN- BARAI (Ridge-Hand Downward Sweep)

Used in Heian Nidan.

KAKUTO-UKE (Bent-Wrist Block)

KEITO-UKE (Chicken-Head Wrist Block)

SEIRYUTO-UKE (Ox jaw Block)

TEISHO-UKE (Palm-Heel Block)

Performed for example by bringing arm in with wrist bent inward and snapping wrist forward at impact, striking with heel of hand to opponent's wrist.

TEKUBI-KAKE-UKE (Wrist Hook Block)

Form the hook by bending the hand backwards at the wrist, as used in Enpi.

TE-NAGASHI-UKE (Hand Sweeping Block)

Performed by deflecting the punch with palm of open hand past your head, twisting the hand on impacts so that the palm faces your ear, as used in Heian Godan.

SOKUTEI- OSAE-UKE (Pressing Block with Sole)

Raise the blocking foot and drive the sole into your opponent's ankle as he begins to kick.

SOKUTO- OSAE-UKE (Pressing Block with Foot Edge)

Similar to above but using the edge of the foot.

ASHIBO- KAKE-UKE (Leg Hooking Block)

Lift leg to side and swing it in a circle; catch the back of your opponent's ankle with your shin to deflect a Kekome.

ASHIKUBI- KAKE-UKE (Ankle Hooking Block)

Used against a Mae-geri by hooking the opponent's leg up and forward with the front of your ankle to below his calf.

NAMI-GAESHI (Returning Wave)

The sole of the foot is used to deflect a Gedan kick, as used in Tekki Shodan.

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MOROTE-UKE (Augmented Forearm Block)

Similar to Uchi-uke but instead of pointing the direction, the fist of the non-blocking arm braces the forearrn of the blocking arm to strengthen it, as used in Heian Nidan. Forearm can also be braced with open hand, as used in Bassai Dai.

JUJI-UKE (X-Block)

Performed with fists or open hands by crossing the wrists to form a 'X' and pushing upwards against a Jodan attack, as used in Heian Godan.

GEDAN~UJI-UKE (Downwards X-Block)

As above but used downwards against a Mae-geri, as used in Heian Yondan.

SOKUMEN-AWASE-(Side Combined Block)

UKE Usually for Jodan attack, hands are back to back with fingers pointing upwards, the palm deflects the attack to the side of the head, as used in Gankaku.

KAKIWAKE-UKE (Reverse Wedgeblock)

Used against an opponent who has grasped you with both hands e.g. by the throat. Push both hands with wrists crossed forwards between his arms and your face, then force forearms down and outwards twisting your wrists down to break his grip, as used in Heian Yondan.

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GEDAN-KAKE-UKE (Downwards Hooking block)

Either used from outside inward, to deflect the kick by swinging the blocking arm with back of hand facing forward; or from inside outward by having the opposite ie: forward to the blocking arm, which swings across the body, contacting the opponent's ankle and hooking it over, as used in Bassai Dai.

SUKUI-UKE (Scooping Block)

Similar to above but hands are open; can also be used as a two-handed block (Morote-sukui-uke) performed by blocking from outside and catching the knee in the other hand.

TEISHO-AWASE- UKE (Combined Palm Heel-Block)

Place heel of hands together and bend hands back, push forward and down to opponent's leg, as used in Hangetsu.

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SANCHIN-DACHI (Hour-Glass Stance)

Feet are shoulder-width apart, the back foot faces forward, toes in line with the heel of the front foot, which is turned in at a 45 degree angle, knees turned slightly inwards, as in Nijushiho.

HANGETSU-DACHI (Half-Moon Stance)

Similar to Zenkutsu-dachi but shorter and with knees forced inwards.

NEKO-ASHI-DACHI (Cat Stance)

Short stance with back leg bent and back foot at a 45 degree angle to front, ball of front foot lightly touches the ground and heel is raised, knee turns slightly in to protect the groin, as used in Hangetsu.

HEISOKU-DACHI (Informal Attention)

Heels and toes touching.

MUSUBI-DACHI (Informal Attention stance)

Heels touching and toes turned out at a 45 degree angle.

HACHIJI-DACHI (Open Leg Stance)

Heels shoulder width apart, toes turned out at a 45 degree angle.

HEIKO-DACHI (Parallel Stance)

As Hachiji-dachi but feet are parallel.

UCHI-HACHIJI- DACHI (Inverted Open-Leg Stance)

As Hachiji-dachi but feet are turned in at a 45 degree angle.

TEIJI-DACHI (T Stance)

Approximately 12" separates heel of front foot from instep of rear foot.

RENOJI-DACHI (L Stance)

Approximately 12" separates heel of front foot from heel of rear foot, as used in Heian Shodan.

SHIZENTAI (Natural Position)

ZENKUTSU-DACHI (Front Stance)

Approximately 32" in length, the feet are shoulder width apart, front knee is directly over foot and back leg is locked straight, 60% of the weight is on the front leg, hips may be square to the front or at a 45° angle.

KOKUTSU-DACHI (Back Stance)

Approximately 32" in length, 70% of weight on the back leg, heels are in line, front leg slightly bent back with foot turned in and rear knee pushed back.

KIBA-DACHI (Straddle-Leg Stance)

Approximately 32" in length. There is equal weight on both legs, feet are turned in, legs are bent with knees turned out and hips should be low and pushed forward.

SHIKO-DACHI (Square Stance)

As Kiba-dachi but with feet turned out at a 45° angle.

KOSA-DACHI (Crossed Feet Stance)

Front foot is firmly on the ground and back foot tucked in behind it, knees are bent and the back (as in all stances) is straight, as in Heian Yondan

FUDO-DACHI (Rooted Stance)

Also known as Sochin-dachi.

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ALL KICKS The supporting leg should be slightly bent. The kicking leg should snap back along the same path it used to reach the target, then come back into the appropriate stance.

MAE-GERI (Front Kick)

Performed by raising knee to front and snapping the foot out to the target. The hips are pushed forward for more power and to help gain distance.

MAWASHI-GERI (Round Kick)

The knee is raised to the side and then brought sharply round, causing the foot to snap out to the target. The body leans over to help the hips reach the correct position.

YOKO-GERI-KEAGE (Side Snap Kick)

Performed by raising the knee in the direction of the kick, then snapping the foot out to the target in allowing movement.

YOKO-GERI- KEKOMI (Side Thrust Kick)

Knee is raised to the front then leg is thrust out with knee and hip locked straight.

USHIRO-GERI (Back Kick)

Performed by pivoting the body round to face away from the target, ball of kicking foot rests lightly on the ground slightly in front, then the heel kicks up and leg is thrust straight back.

USHIRO-MAWASHI- GERI (Back Round Kick)

Striking with heel.

GYAKU-MAWASHI- GERI (Reverse Round Kick)

Striking with ball of foot from inside out.

KAKATO-GERI (Stomp Kick)

Performed by swinging leg upwards and striking down with heel.

FUMIKOMI (Downward Stamping Kick)

Performed by raising knee and stamping down with bottom of foot. As used in Heian Sandan.

FUMIKIRI (Downward Cutting Kick)

Similar to above but striking with side of foot.

MIKAZUKI-GERI (Crescent Kick)

Performed by bringing the leg in a hooking movement from outside inwards.

PARTS OF THE FOOT USED IN KICKING

KOSHI (Ball of Foot)

Used in Mae-geri and Mawashi-geri.

SOKUTO (Foot Edge)

Used in Yoko-geri-keage and Yoko-geri-kekomi.

KAKATO (Heel)

Used in Ushiro-geri.

HEISOKU (Instep)

Can also be used for Mawashi-geri.

TSUMASAKI (Tip of Toes)

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KIHON KUMITE Basic Sparring

GOHON KUMITE Five Step Sparring

IPPON KUMITE One Step Sparring

KAESHI KUMITE Two Step Sparring

JIYU-IPPON KUMITE Semi Free style Sparring

OKURI JIYU-IPPON Two Step Jiyu-lppon (Second Step Free)

JIYU KUMITE Freestyle Sparring

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JODAN

Upper Area of body e.g. face and head

CHUDAN

Middle area of body e.g. chest and stomach

GEDAN

Lower area of body e.g. groin

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KARA Empty

TE Hand

KARATE Empty Hand (Fighting)

KARATEKA Student of Karate

DO Way

DOJO Place of the way (Training Hall)

KI Spirit

KIAI Expression of Spirit - Shouting

SENSEI Teacher

SENSEI NI REI Teacher we bow (Said at the beginning and end of every lesson).

SEMPAI Senior grade at your Dojo

MOKUSO Deep breathing and empty mind

KIME Focusing the muscles - Tension

KIMETE Deciding Blow

KYU Grade

DAN Level, e.g. Shodan = first level Black Belt

YOI Ready: In a state of alertness

KAMAETE Take up position

HAJIME Begin

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