Free karate tips

How to learn karate - online video tutorial

Learning karate like a new language

When you learn Karate, you are first introduced to individual techniques, such as single blocks and strikes. If we compare learning Karate to learning a new language, you can think of these like the letters of the alphabet. Several techniques strung together may form words. The practice of basic techniques is often simply called “basics”, or Kihon in Japanese. To stay with this analogy, sentences are thus formed by stringing several basic techniques together, for example, in Kihon Ido, which means, “moving basics”, because you step and thus move your body while you block and/or strike.

Typical for Karate are Katas. A Kata is a sequence of movements used for training and to demonstrate technique. In the context of learning Karate, learing Katas then can be akin learning how to form paragraphs.

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In this Karate online tutorial, we will follow this approach. We will offer you video clips that demonstrate individual techniques, combinations in partner training and Katas. We are currently processing our video material, adding new techniques and Karate video clips every day. Each video will be accompanied by a step-by-step learning guide with expert advice on how to perform the technique correctly.

Karate Terminology: The Japanese names for the techniques shown vary slightly between different Karate styles. To make it clearer, we have decided to use mostly english, descriptive names, and put Japanese terms for these techniques in brackets, using the nomenclature of Okinawan Karate.

Section 1: Blocks (Uke)

Destroying your attacker’s weapons

All blocking techniques can become powerful attacks against your attacker’s limbs when performed with speed and power. Hard blocks can cause damage to your attacker’s arms and legs and thus remove the threat of further attacks.

Close-handed Blocks

Open-Handed Blocks

Wrist Blocks

Section 2: Basic Punches and Strikes

Please read our article on Punching in Karate, which is the basis for all the striking techniques demonstrated below.

Section 3: Kicking

It is recommended to practice your kicks on a heavy bag, if possible. It is quite difficult to develop a powerful (and useful) kick only by kicking thin air. By kicking the bag you will learn how to generate power and speed in your kicks. Bag kicking will also strengthen the muscles used for kicking.

Section 4: Combined Karate Techniques:

Block and Counter Techniques

96 comments about “How to learn karate”

  1. September 1st, 2005 at 3:53 pm
    ben phipps said:

    i think the websites great since i am a blackbelt myself but i think it would really improve if you demonstrated some katas in your videos

  2. September 2nd, 2005 at 2:56 am
    Phạm Thanh Phương said:

    I am just a greenbelt and i receive much from this site.Thanks

  3. September 5th, 2005 at 6:24 am
    david austin vaz said:

    I would like to know about international shoirin rui karate

  4. September 6th, 2005 at 5:22 am
    Alexander H Banks said:

    I think the techniques demonstrated on this site are terrible, while watching the videos I was sitting on my chair, laughing… There is no structure […] more

  5. September 13th, 2005 at 2:19 am
    Mountaineer said:

    I thik this site is a great demonstrator on Kata and other techniques but i would love to see some basics published.

  6. September 28th, 2005 at 6:14 pm
    Brian said:

    I think Dr. Alexander Banks should get his head out of his ass.

  7. October 11th, 2005 at 2:56 pm
    dale said:

    rubbish i think you should add some basic stuff that i can learn at home

  8. October 12th, 2005 at 3:54 pm
    Brent said:

    Im a white belt and i find this site handy to check technique…Dale: Martial arts should be learned in a gojo not on a computer, so get your fat ass […] more

  9. October 16th, 2005 at 11:52 am
    Freddy said:

    I agree with brent… karate can’t be learned at home… great site!!

  10. October 30th, 2005 at 10:55 am
    Shiyana Farrelly said:

    I’m a instructor trainee and i think this is a great site but you need to put more basic and easier stuff on the site like wakasukis and about the bas […] more

  11. November 11th, 2005 at 3:16 pm
    Crazy Joe said:

    Well…. this website is rubbish the videos only last about 5-15 secs max. what are people supposed to learn to just block and attack. im a BLACK BELT […] more

  12. November 15th, 2005 at 10:02 am
    eugene perry said:

    i thought you have done a great job on this website,i myself am a third kyu brown belt at shotokan(didnt want to get a black bet,just enjoyed traing. […] more

  13. November 26th, 2005 at 3:29 am
    Neo said:

    This site is shit coz the techniques are rubbish and av no structure. go 2 a karate lesson insted!

  14. December 15th, 2005 at 1:13 am
    Grizz said:

    Great site, lots of good basic info and the videos are useful. You critics need to realize that karate is NOT learned thru ‘net videos - these are BA […] more

  15. December 20th, 2005 at 3:14 pm
    Jet Li said:

    This site is exellent. It contains some great techniques which I use alot myself. I feel the experience should come abit cheaper as you cannnot sell a […] more

  16. December 20th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
    Jet Li said:

    I have been inspired to suggest that this site creates a simple game in order to help everyone master the technique, I think all it needs to make you […] more

  17. December 20th, 2005 at 3:23 pm
    Jimmy said:

    This is an good site though as a Black belt at karate, judo and tai chi I feel it could do with abit of updating etc.

  18. January 7th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
    james said:

    i think it’s great

  19. January 12th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
    Liam Wilson said:

    I think this is an awesome site that has loads of cool information……..but I would like to see other fiting styls.

  20. January 15th, 2006 at 4:37 am
    Andrew Raslan said:

    This info is great, since I am only a blue-tip, but I think you should add some katas. I cannot do anything without them (I don’t even take karate les […] more

  21. January 24th, 2006 at 4:31 am
    Devon said:

    pls.. send me some karate tips.. offensive and defensive.. i really like it.. im just a beginner.. i think its a great help for me. u rock!

  22. January 29th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
    George Campbell said:

    I think the site is great iam just a orange belt but its neet to see different styles. i would like to see more katas.

  23. February 11th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
    phing lau said:

    i am a yoshi sensei from shnghai…i must tell you all that shaolin kung fu if far more advanced and much more effective then any form of karate …

  24. February 14th, 2006 at 7:00 am
    ivan grozny said:

    the site is not bad but people should really rely on trainings in dojos also, tu phing lau - if kung fu is better go browse kung fu sites also […] more

  25. March 6th, 2006 at 10:13 am
    max said:

    this is a great site but it would be better if u add more kicks

  26. March 8th, 2006 at 12:21 am
    dilip p patel said:

    This is very funny and has easy to learn clips for new students. I would like to request you add some self defence techniques so students can learn mo […] more

  27. March 11th, 2006 at 11:00 am
    Sapphiriana Rochos said:

    This is a great site. Critics: cursing makes you look stupid. Cheers for your site from Kyoto, Japan!! ~~Sapph

  28. March 17th, 2006 at 10:02 am
    GJK 3K0 said:

    Sure some ppl maything the site is a bit down hill and it could do with more techniques but if you think that then get your own site, make your own vi […] more

  29. March 20th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
    Tam said:

    I just want to say nice website, but i suggest for those who really want to learn, go learn in an actual class..im a blue belt so my points of view ma […] more

  30. March 21st, 2006 at 3:12 pm
    lee said:

    this sites for real amatures though i am a world class champion in kickboxing and jujitsu.

  31. March 22nd, 2006 at 2:17 pm
    shan afridi said:

    This is a good site for a new student..and also for seniors …but have to improve it more.. I am black belt and I am from afridi karate club. bara

  32. April 3rd, 2006 at 12:41 am
    Pete said:

    Like a lot of people viewing this I am a black belt (Goju) and even though I am only Shodan I recognise that the techniques in the video’s are less th […] more

  33. April 14th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
    Chris Winward said:

    This website is very useful for me - i would love to learn karate but there aren’t any places in my areas. At least I now know some basic martial art […] more

  34. May 3rd, 2006 at 9:45 pm
    MF said:

    I have 14 years of experience in Shorin Ryu and have faught as a free-style fighter for 7 years now. Never once I’ve used any of the defensive moves o […] more

  35. May 3rd, 2006 at 9:49 pm
    MF said:

    oh and Lee, you are not a worldclass fighter. Andrei Arlovski is a worldclass fighter, Wanderlei Silva is a worldclass fighter. You, you are just a fi […] more

  36. May 22nd, 2006 at 2:31 pm
    Ec - Lee said:

    I need an experience person to tour with if anyone is ready to call or organize any tournament he should let me know to partipciate. Collins

  37. June 3rd, 2006 at 12:15 am
    praveen said:

    This site is too cool.I loved the basic moves which the Sensei demonstrated.This site is very useful to kids all over the world.

  38. June 5th, 2006 at 8:59 am
    Devender said:

    Your site is too cool.

  39. June 17th, 2006 at 10:35 am
    panther said:

    This site would b better if u left every technique and steps to becoming a white belt to a black belt

  40. June 23rd, 2006 at 5:28 am
    Garry said:

    Having trained extensively in Goju Ryu in England I am now in Spain and have just found a Goju club but not having trained ‘properly’ for some years h […] more

  41. July 1st, 2006 at 3:05 am
    akio123 said:

    ‘’always remember karate is not only learned in the dojo'’- FUNAKOSHI

  42. July 10th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
    bob said:

    i think this could be great but requires more info!!!! :)

  43. July 11th, 2006 at 12:18 am
    Oscar "trios" Johnson said:

    Im in the process of making a undergroud sort of site for aspiring martial artist, and master martial artist alike, this site is goign to be on the li […] more

  44. July 30th, 2006 at 4:53 am
    nick said:

    i have no idea how to fight and no time 4 lessons atm so i think its awesome 4 beginners like me

  45. August 1st, 2006 at 9:41 am
    Jess said:

    You certainly deserve some gratitude as these demonstrations are amazing and could prove very useful in dangerous situations. Well done.

  46. August 20th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
    Khushanand said:

    I would prefer to view a combat video. But still it’s a great site.

  47. September 13th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
    Master B said:

    I am a Universal Ninja and Super Karate Warrior–Platinum Belt. I think the site is a lot funnier when all you black belts, shoguns, and kung fu/shao […] more

  48. September 26th, 2006 at 10:52 am
    robbo said:

    my partner and i are currently looking into starting some form of martial arts. what would you sujest for a beginer?

  49. October 6th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
    bruce lee said:

    yes, this is what i was trying to get across in my performances of this skillful art.

  50. October 27th, 2006 at 9:57 am
    KarateWanabe said:

    I want to learn karate, i’m only 14. I still don’t get how ppl can block punches at such a fast rate… well… I still can’t learn karate yet.. I rec […] more

  51. November 7th, 2006 at 9:20 am
    Jaoli said:

    I’m a newbie at karate and learned the three stances and now onto the blocks. I’m learning entirely through books and my dad, who’s a purple belt. I […] more

  52. November 9th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
    Cortney Dunn said:

    I have never done karate before but I would love to learn. I hope to get great at it.

  53. November 16th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
    Justin Buckner said:

    I’m a High school student at Roosevelt Senior high in DC. Karate looks like a good way to become mentally strong and well trained. I’ve seen movies co […] more

  54. December 6th, 2006 at 6:36 am
    khamphaxay said:

    pls send the lesson on karate to me , i would like to be ur membership

  55. December 6th, 2006 at 9:41 am
    Shi Ku Tai said:

    I tink dis site is guud

  56. December 15th, 2006 at 8:23 am
    Derek Mascarenhas said:

    I Think the website is a great tool-im a black belt (1st dan) and since i ceased training 5 years ago, i have lost touch-but this website is helping m […] more

  57. December 15th, 2006 at 8:39 am
    Derek Mascarenhas said:

    Oh, and to all you higher dan black belts and “universal karate masters” who think you can do a better job, why don’t you- if you really knew the s […] more

  58. December 26th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
    Alexander Banks said:

    I’m back, after a long time, and I still think that learing a martial art through video is laughable. With regards to the last comment, I don’t study […] more

  59. January 9th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
    Micayla Presley said:

    personally, i don’t think books or movies can teach anybody something. i mean, we all make different kinds of mistakes and there is nobody there to po […] more

  60. January 17th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
    Katana said:

    This website is nice because as a beginer, I can review the moves we learned in class and see what the name of it was. I have trouble remembering the […] more

  61. January 18th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
    Ashley said:

    I think this website is great could you please show some katas though?

  62. January 24th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
    Garrett said:

    i think the videos are to hard to understand when it is just one guy standing there waving his arms around it would help if he had a partner so you ca […] more

  63. February 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 am
    Liza said:

    Can u show some basics!!! Plz

  64. March 9th, 2007 at 11:00 am
    mamey said:

    im a orange belt (2rd belt in the system including white)i do my blue belt test tommorow. you need to put some katas and/or keons in your videos im do […] more

  65. March 19th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
    Ankit Patel said:

    hi, i am a Yellow Belt (GO-juru Karate), i have completed my yellow belt exam under sensei Rusiraj Jaiswal (J.M.S.I.), for to learn karate you have […] more

  66. April 5th, 2007 at 3:51 am
    chao said:

    this sites help me alot..hehee~~

  67. April 29th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
    Student said:

    ok all you people who say it crappy because this dosent teach you how ot kill people. Karate is for self-defense only and he cant put advanced teachin […] more

  68. April 30th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
    Basavaraj said:

    I Realy arpiciat for karate. I have very interest in karate I learn karate

  69. May 5th, 2007 at 10:35 am
    PTK said:

    I think this website is just great. Can you send me newsletters about self-defence and how to execute katas? U are just great.

  70. May 6th, 2007 at 5:02 am
    anonymous said:

    these are karate basics. Karate is not about kicking ppls ass with fancy moves like u see in movies.

  71. May 6th, 2007 at 5:03 am
    anonymous said:

    i also think this website is great but it would be better if you added some katas.

  72. May 6th, 2007 at 5:06 am
    anonymous said:

    for the people who think that a karate belt judjes your fighting skill, you are wrong. karate is in your heart, mind and spirit, not around your wais […] more

  73. May 16th, 2007 at 6:16 am
    syed imran lateef said:

    to become humam being from human needs to have at least one black belt

  74. May 23rd, 2007 at 7:10 am
    justice said:

    hey, the side kick is wrong in my opinion. it is similiar to high round horse kick. correct me if i am wrong.

  75. May 26th, 2007 at 12:08 am
    leave a comment said:

    I am currently black belt 4th dan. The website really hits home the basics of karate.

  76. May 27th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
    bruce li said:

    seems like everybody is kung fu fighting…. interesting

  77. May 31st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
    tapish said:

    thank u 4 offering such a great website but e1 if i learn karate how i will be judged that for what belt i m suitable for.

  78. June 19th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
    ranny said:

    i’ve never try karete before,but i will join karate next month,,how is it??can u tell me??

  79. June 21st, 2007 at 1:19 pm
    sesso con cavalli said:

    pagine piuttosto informative, piacevoli =)

  80. July 23rd, 2007 at 10:31 pm
    Josué said:

    Hi holmes I’m from CostaRica. I’m green bealt but I made the exam the lastt Tuesday and I pass to purple 2 i’m so happy congratulations for all my doj […] more

  81. August 20th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
    Mr. Chann said:

    It is very good that students can learn valuable moves online. Some of the best things I learned in karate were not from the dojo. Alot comes from wha […] more

  82. August 21st, 2007 at 8:42 am
    nono said:

    hey .. i just want 2 know if there is no anoter names for these kicks….coz there is a slight difference in the names i know…thnks!!

  83. September 10th, 2007 at 7:08 am
    asienwald said:

    i think your basic step by step karate very good.nice

  84. October 21st, 2007 at 5:03 am
    Sajeev Simon said:

    It is really a useful site. good one. I really appreciate you for sharing your ideas. Thank you very much.

  85. November 28th, 2007 at 5:32 am
    stephen wilson said:

    hi this site is great: im a yellow belt my self. i want to entr compitions how would i go on, can you email me plz on www.bad_boi_stevo_06@hotmail.com […] more

  86. December 5th, 2007 at 10:14 am
    Ahamed Sadiq said:

    This site is very wonderful. I like it very much.

  87. December 5th, 2007 at 10:16 am
    Ahamed said:

    This site is cool and interesting.

  88. January 20th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
    Joseph Rothwell said:

    Most of you need to realize that this site is simply a reference, not a learning tool. Also, it is performed by a trained karate instructor. And final […] more

  89. January 25th, 2008 at 12:59 am
    NaJa said:

    This site is so informative!!!It’s quick, easy and loads of knowledge on technique from as simple as tieing the belt. Trust me, I strongly believe tha […] more

  90. February 13th, 2008 at 8:58 am
    lahcene said:

    salut mes amis les karatekas .

  91. February 27th, 2008 at 1:55 am
    iya said:

    …gREAT sport… i love the free tips…

  92. April 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
    LaKi said:

    I`m with you…body and spirit…

  93. June 16th, 2008 at 3:46 am
    raeez said:

    the best sport for mind & soul

  94. August 14th, 2008 at 2:26 am
    AArman said:

    I m a begginer.. i seek this site for help.. and it has provided me more than enough stuffs to guide me through.. i am very much thankful to this site […] more

  95. August 26th, 2008 at 11:58 am
    killer i said:

    first of all i have to say i didnt learn karate yet,but lets keep a hope,i watched the videos man those are nice

  96. November 24th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
    Levykauppa said:

    Yep. I hope someone will put some info here.

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