Middle elbow strike (chudan hiji ate) Chudan Hiji Ate is an elbow strike to the solar plexus but can also be aimed at under the chin. Elbow strikes can be very effective, especially at close range. There is little danger of injury because elbows are usually strong bones that require no special toughening to be used […]

Uppercut (ake zuki) Ake zuki is a closed fist strike aimed under the chin. Boxers refer to this technique as “upper cut”. This is a close range technique that can be very effective when performed correctly. How to perform a uppercut (ake zuki) To perform a right upper strike (age zuki) begin with your right hand by your […]

Jab punch (kizami zuki) The jab punch (kizami zuki) is done on the leading side, ie off the front foot. The jab is a fast punch that can be used to gauge distance, distract your opponent and to set your opponent up for further more damaging attacks. The jab punch is often used to set […]

Wrist block (ko uke, shotei uke) Ko Uke and Shotei Uke are blocking techniques that are performed in succession to block subsequent strikes to upper and middle or lower target areas. Ko Uke is an upper level block that is performed using the top of the wrist, with the thumb pressing on the middle finger. Ko Uke […]

Upper wrist block (Jodan Ko-Uke) Jodan Ko Uke is a wrist block (ko means wrist) used to block upper (Jodan) level strikes, eg a punch to the face. Jodan Ko Uke uses only the top of the wrist as the blocking surface and thus requires more skill and accuracy than Jodan Uke (upper block) which uses […]

Double open-handed straight block (morote shotei uke) This open-handed block is used for blocking round-house kicks (mawashi geri) that are intended to hit the body side-on. Using both hands, this particular block covers the whole side from head to groin. How to perform a double open-handed straight block (morote shotei uke) Move one arm open-handed vertically across […]

Lower open hand block (gedan shotei uke) Gedan Shotei Uke is an open-handed scooping block used to block kicks to the lower area of your body. Gedan Shotei Uke is mainly used to block kicks such as Mae Geri, Kin Geri and Yoko Geri. Gedan Shotei Uke is a more advanced method of blocking that requires […]

Open hand middle side block (chudan shotei yoko uke) Chudan Shotei Uke is an advanced technique for blocking both kicks and strikes to the middle area (chudan) of the body. In contrast to the standard Chudan Uke, the open hand is applied. This requires more accuracy but decreases the likelihood of damage to the […]

Double open hand circular block and palm heel strike (mawashi uke / tora guchi) Tora Guchi is a trapping technique that combines a double handed open-hand circular block (Mawashi Uke) with a double-handed (palm heel or fist) strike. The double handed Mawashi Uke is a blocking technique against strikes to both the upper and middle areas […]

Hooking block (hiki uke) Hiki Uke is an open hand circular hooking block used against strikes to the chudan (middle area) and Jodan (upper area). With hiki uke you are able to deflect the attackers strike with the added option of being able to grab his wrist, which can then be used for a counter attack. The […]