Enpi Step By Step Tutorial 

Enpi Step By Step Tutorial Move 20

Move 20 in Enpi is a slow controlled move, where there are three different variations that most shotokan Dojo practice.

In this article we are going to explain the bent leg version, the scond way is leg straight and the third way is leg in the kiba dachi position. Amos Sensei explains in detail and demonstrates all three in the video below.

From a left side gedanbarai (move 19). Slowly transfer the body weight onto the right leg, whilst at the same time pulling the left leg back to the right. Try not to drag the left leg, use muscle control. As the left leg comes back, open the left hand into the shuto uchi position. With the body weight on the right leg, slowly lift the left bent leg and at the same time, lift the left hand high, with the palm facing your face, elbow straight out from the shoulder and a 90 degree bend on the arm. Look directly into the palm of your left hand as you slowly bring the left leg around and down into kiba dachi (image 1). Make sure to lower the left leg slowly using muscle control.

Enpi Kata Step By Step Move 21

With Enpi move 21, you are going to strike with the right forearm into the left open shuto hand in Sagi ashi dachi (Heron Leg Stance).

As you strike with the forearm, there should also be a feeling of the left hand coming to the right forearm, but only at the moment of impact.

Shoot the right foot tight behind the left knee and try and keep the same height. Some Shotokan Dojo do practice this first kiai in Enpi by coming up high on the strike. This is also ok.

Make sure the right foot and left back of the knee are tight in Sagi ashi dachi (Heron Leg Stance).

Enpi Moves 22, 23 and 24

Move 22. From the Sagi ashi dachi, the left hand goes under the right arm, palm up as you slowly step back into kiba dachi with the right leg and perform tate shuto slowly, but with feeling.

For moves 22 and 23 we punch two choku tsuki chudan in kiba dachi. Right arm then left arm. Try to use the hips with each punch, but do not let the legs cave inwards.

Timing is slowly into tate shuto, then two fast choku tsuki chudan.

Move 25

Driving off the right leg, turn and step to the left with the left leg, whilst strongly preparing the arms for gedan barai.

As you drive off the right leg, your body is in he shomen position, then as you land in zenkutsu dachi, sharply block gedan barai  and snap the hips and body ionto the hanmi position.

Move 26

We also cover this punch in the Enpi tutorial moves 5 to 19. This next move is very unusual, age zuki or rising punch. There are two ways to perform this punch in Enpi.

Age Tsuki 1st Way

From gedan barai in the hanmi position, drive off the back leg, just like you are about to punch reverse punch.

As you are three quaters of the way through the gyaku zuki, at the tate zuki (vertical punch point, sharply lift the arm and strike under the chin with the two larg knuckles of the fist.

Age Tsuki 2nd Way

Basically, the second way starts from lower down.

From gedan barai in the hanmi position, drive off the back leg, just like you are about to punch reverse punch, but punch down low (gedan).

Once again, as you are three quaters of the way through the gyaku zuki, at the tate zuki (vertical punch point, sharply lift the arm and strike under the chin with the two large knuckles of the fist.

The second way has a larger lifting movement.

Move 27

From the Age tsuki position, step forward with the right leg shuto uke in kokutsu dachi.

Move 28

Pull the right leg back to the left, at the same time prepare the arms for shuto uke with the left arm. Now step forward with the left leg shuto uke in kokutsu dachi.

Move 29

Hold the shuto uke in kokutsu dachi and punch gyaku tsuki on the spot, keep a good back stance, try not to let the back knee collapse.

Move 30

Now step forward with the right leg shuto uke in kokutsu dachi.

Move 31

Turn (mawate) 180 degrees, driving the left leg accross and blocking gedan barai (downward block).

Move 32

For move 32, we once again punch age zuki or rising punch

Enpi Step By Step Tutorial Move 33

There are also a couple of different ways to the grab after the age tsuki.

1. Open the hand quickly with fingers straight in the shuto position.

2. Open the hand slowly with fingers straight in the shuto position.

3. A slow circular hand grab as Kanazawa Shihan introduced into the SKI.

Enpi Kata Step By Step Move 34

With the right hand remaining open and keeping still, attack hiza geri (knee attack), be sure and drive the hips forward, keeping the body square.

Moves 35 and 36

Lunge forward with the right leg after the hiza geri, try not to jump, this is a long driving step.

As the right foot lands block accross the face with a jodan soto uke, then shoot the left leg up into kosa dachi (crossed leg stance), keep the back straight and knees bent and locked together. Make sure the left ball of the foot is tucked just to the outside of the right foots heel.

As the left leg shoots forward, punch gyaku tsuki with the left arm.

In the final position make sure the right elbow is down, back straight, knees bent and knees locked (see image above).

Move 37

Drive off the right leg and strike or block gedan barai with the right arm. Land in zenkutsu dachi with the left leg in front and look over the right shoulder.

Two body positions are used with this move, some Shotokan Dojo practice this move with the back straight and other Dojo practice with the back straight, but angled the same as the back leg.

Enpi Step By Step Tutorial Move 38

Pull the left leg back and over to the left as you perform gedan barai with the left arm in zenkutsu dachi,  facing the left.