There is nothing better on a sunny day, than practicing karate outside!

It was such a lovely day today, we decided to travel a few miles to a local forest and practice some karate.

I decided to use the time to prepare a combination for the evenings live karate zoom class.

The combination in the video below involves three different punches and three different elbow strikes.

1. Ura Tsuki (uppercut) – Mae Empi (forward elbow strike)
2. Tate Tsuki (vertical punch) – Mawashi Empi (round elbow strike)
3. Gyaku Tsuki (reverse punch) – Yoko Empi Uchi (side elbow strike)

Number 1 is really close in fighting, grab hold of your opponent and pull them onto a dig to the ribs, then immediately follow up with a forward elbow strike into the ribs or sturnum, at the same time you strike with the elbow, once again have a sharp pull with the hikite arm.

The distance from your opponent is a little further away for number 2. Reach and grab hold of your opponent and pull them onto a tate Tsuki (vertical fist punch) to the head, then immediately follow up with a round elbow strike into the head or whatever is in front of you, at the same time you strike with the elbow, once again have a sharp pull with the hikite arm.

For number 3 imagine you have an opponent in front who is closing in, but you can also feel someone approaching from behind. Strike to the person in front with a reverse punch (gyaku tsuki), then immediately turn 180 degrees an strike with a side elbow (yoko empi). With number 3, the punch may not land or the elbow, but it may give you a split second to understand the position you are in. Then again the punch may land but the elbow may not, a self defense scenario changes rapidly and you have to be able to react accordingly.