Taken from our 8th Kyu Red belt karate examination.
Choku Zuki – Teisho – Haito and Shuto From Shizentai (Heiko dachi)
1. Choku Zuki (straight punch)
2. Teisho Uchi (palm heel strike)
3. Haito Uchi (ridge hand strike)
4. Shuto Uchi (knife hand strike)
A basic striking combination working on coordination. After each strike, be sure and have a good hikite fist at the side of the body.
One of the biggest mistakes we see, is an open hand in the hikite position. Also work on applying the hips to the strikes. Striking sides hip shoots forward, then snaps back square on impact.
Tips Regarding The Four Strikes
1. Choku Zuki ~ Try not to let the elbows come out as you punch, make sure the elbow follows the punching fist in a straight line.
2. Teisho Uchi ~ This is a very powerful technique, keep a good bend in the wrist and try and keep the thumb bent and tight on impact, along with the fingers.
3. Haito Uchi ~ The thumb needs to be tight accross the palm on impact. Some karateka strike using a really large circular movement and others use a much smaller circular movement which we explain in the video. Striking area is the muscle in between the base of the first finger and thumb, with this strike targeting vulnerable areas like the neck, jaw line and temples. This strike can also be used as part of a takedown.
4. Shuto Uchi ~ As with the Heito Uchi, large and small circular movents can be used with this strike. as with other open hand strikes keep the thumb tight on impact, this time keeping the thumb bent tight at the side of the hand and not accross the palm.
