Shotokan Karate Kihon Training
4 Block Punch Combination Video Tutorial
In this shotokan karate kihon training exercise we are working on four basic blocks.
Each block is followed with a reverse punch (gyaku zuki).
Although these techniques are classed as basic Shotokan Karate training, they can be very confusing.
Confusing because after each gyaku zuki, the same arm then performs the next block, so there is a lot of arm switching involved.
The shotokan karate kihon training combinations we are practicing are ~
1. Age Uke (upper block) Gyaku Zuki (reverse punch).
2. Soto Uke (outside block) Gyaku Zuki (reverse punch).
3. Uchi Uke (inside block) Gyaku Zuki (reverse punch).
4. Gedan Barai (downward block) Gyaku Zuki (reverse punch).
Shotokan Karate Kihon Training
Block Punch Combination
Starting from a left leg in front gedan barai (downward block) in zenkutsu dachi (front stance).
1. Step forward Age Uke, Gyaku zuki.
2. Step backward Age Uke, Gyaku zuki.
3. Step forward Soto Uke, Gyaku zuki.
4. Step backward Soto Uke, Gyaku zuki.
5. Step forward Uchi Uke, Gyaku zuki.
6. Step backward Uchi Uke, Gyaku zuki.
7. Step forward Gedan Barai, Gyaku zuki.
8. Step backward Gedan Barai, Gyaku zuki.
We will now cover stepping forward and backward Age Uke Gyaku Zuki in detail, the same fundamentals apply to the other three blocks and counters.
From a left gedan barai, when you start to step, initiate the move with a small forward drive of the front knee, then drive the hips and back leg forward.
Try not to move the front foot before you step.
If you have to turn your front foot out a bit, make sure it’s after the half way point in the step.
As you step forward keep the same height, try not to move up and down through the step.
As you step forward keep the blocking arm still and the hikite arm back in the hanmi position.
Breathe in sharply and try not to show that you are breathing in.
At the half point, drive forward off the left leg strongly.
At the three quater mark, the blocking arms should be preparing. (eg. for age uke, the arms should be crossed).
At the completion of the step ~
Finish breathing out sharply without showing that you are breathing out.
Finish the age Uke (right arm) with a sharp rotation of the forearm on the block and the hikite.
Rotate the body sharply into the hanmi position.
Kime
Then immediately punch with a left gyaku zuki, kime again and finish in the shomen position.
Now repeat stepping backwards.
Soften and bend the back (left) knee as you start to step backwards.
As you start to step backwards, turn the back (left) foot to the front.
Pull the gyaku zuki arm (left arm) back to the hikite position sharply and prepare the blocking marking right arm (for age uke the hand is open, with the arm bent or straight).
Breathe in sharply and try not to show that you are breathing in.
At the half point, drive backward off the left leg strongly.
At the three quater mark, the blocking arms should be preparing. (eg. for age uke, the arms should be crossed).
At the completion of the step ~
Finish breathing out sharply without showing that you are breathing out.
Finish the left age uke with a sharp rotation of the forearm on the block and the hikite.
Rotate the body sharply into the hanmi position.
Kime
Then immediately punch gyaku zuki with the right arm, kime again and finish in the shomen position.
Now repeat for soto uke, uchi uke and gedan barai
In this Shotokan kihon exercise, we are working on lots of Shotokan Karate fundamentals. They are ~
Shomen and Hanmi
Zenkutsu Dachi
Gyaku Zuki (shotokans reverse punch)
4 Basic blocks
Leg driving, forwards and backwards.
Keeping the same height throughout the techniques.
Timing
Breathing
Kime
To access the Ebook mentioned in the video, please Click Here, If you are an SKO member, the ebook can be accessed inside the Dojo. Oss!
