When someone starts their martial arts journey, some basic movements are the building blocks of everything you will do. These include punches, kicks and various blocks. Learning karate is no different from others. It would be better if you master the basic moves before advancing to higher levels.
The basic moves in Karate are Kihon. They include Stances (Tachikata), Punches (Tsuki), Blocks (Uke) and Kicks (Geri).
Learning the basic movements of karate will enable you to grow and progress from a white belt to a black belt within the art. Scroll down to find out more.
Why are basic karate moves necessary?
Even the most complex and menacing moves are built from basic karate moves. Continuous practice of the basics will train your memory and muscles so that you can perform all movements skillfully, naturally and consciously in a fight.
Imagine that you are fighting against a skilled opponent. Suppose you have not sufficiently practiced the basic techniques. In this case, chances are he will be busy thinking about how to put his arms or legs right before defending, counterattacking, or attacking. It will deprive you of the opportunity to focus on your tactics and strategy while giving your opponent an excellent opportunity to hit and defeat you or gain a point.
Therefore, it is necessary to practice basic karate moves continuously. I dare say one can master the art of karate by mostly learning the basics without advancing to higher levels.
How do you practice the basic movements?
Now that I know what the basic movements are, I’ll walk you through each technique and show you how to do it right. It can be very easy to do at some points, but the essence is to grasp each movement and know it better.
Parking (Tachikata)
Postures are simply an arrangement, but there are a few basics required to do them right. Proper and appropriate stances will allow us to maintain balance while attacking and defending with higher effect.
There are different situations, each of which corresponds to different situations that will be discussed later. Now let’s focus on how to do specific stances correctly.
Musubi dachi
It’s the basic stance you hear when you first set foot in a dojo (karate training room/hall). Putting the feet together in a V-shape is performed while the hands are leaning on either side of the body. This is usually done while bowing.
Normal stance (hachiji dachi)
Hachiji Dachi is Musubi Dachi’s direct follower. It is the “attention” position. This is done with the legs shoulder-width apart and both feet pointing forward. The arms are usually placed in front and lean towards the body.
Riding position (south ground)
Kiba dachi depicts feet wide parallel to each other with the feet still and knees facing inward, and the back straight. Most of the weight is usually transferred to the lower body.
Back stance (kokotsu dachi)
Kokutsu Dachi is usually performed with the front leg straight and the feet pointed forward. Both knees are usually bent with the front knee slightly, and the back is strongly arched because most of the body weight rests on the back foot. The pelvis is maintained in an upward position while the neck and back are kept straight.
Front stance (zenkotsu dachi)
Zenkutsu Dachi is the most common stance in karate. It consists of an extended back with the back leg straightened and the back knee slightly bent. The front foot should always be straight with the front knee bent at 90 degrees and the back to at most 45 degrees. Body weight is usually shared on both legs with 60% for the forward leg and 40% for the hind leg. It should always be wider than shoulder width apart.
In Karate, there are 15 stances. However, these three positions are some of the most common and basic that you can apply in many situations.
Punches (Zuki / Tsuki)
If you go to a karate class, you will probably notice that the punches are the most practiced. Normally, you will learn how to throw the punch since it is the first lesson and it will be repeated over and over again.
Most karate punches have one thing in common and that is that they make their way through the shortest distance to the target. It is highly encouraged to increase speed and strength while fighting.
Before we delve into the different punches, let’s first learn how to do the fist correctly;
Bend your fingers so that the tip of each of them touches his palm.
Place your thumb on the middle of your index and middle finger.
Strike with the knuckles of your middle and index finger.
Keep your wrist straight on each stroke.
It’s time to look at karate punches for real!
Straight Punch (Choku Zuki)
Choku Zuki is performed from the normal stance by punching the right arm forward with the palm down. As the other arm is pulled in, the palm is gradually facing upwards and the left arm is released at the same time. The process is repeated to make dangerous punches.
Choku Zuki can strike three distinct locations, namely, the head/face, the chest, and the nether region.
The straight punch to the head/face is referred to as Choku Zuki Jodan, to the chest is Choku Zuki Chudan while in the lower area that is known as Choku Zuki Gedan.
They are also executed in multiples, i.e. two consecutive punches to the chest known as Nidan/Seren Zuki and three more (2 to the chest and 1 to the face) – Sabon Zuki.
Front Lunge Punch (Aoi Zuki)
For Oi Zuki you need to step forward in a forward stance with the punching leg throwing the punch as in the straight punch above. You will have to push your front hip forward to add more power to the technique. Alternate punching foot and arm simultaneously and accordingly – make at least five forward and backward movements for the basic part of the method.
Reverse Punch (Gyakuzuki)
In reverse punching, the main leg and punching arm are on opposite sides. When your left leg is in front, strike with your right fist, and vice versa. It is commonly known as a counter strike because it is recommended to block an attack with your opponent’s closest hand and counter with your farther hand. To generate more power, hit your hips as you swing the punch.
blocks (uk)
In karate, you are not encouraged to attack quickly. Alternatively, it may help if you defend yourself from damaging attacks from your opponent by executing appropriate blocks. If you execute blocks effectively, you can block the strike and quickly counterattack.
Descending block (Jedan Barai)
Jedan Baray is used to block attacks in the lower court. To perform this block, start with your blocking arm placed over the ear and the non-blocking arm placed at belly button height. Slide the blocking arm down along the other arm as it moves down and at the same time bring the non-blocking arm back to the hip position.
Remember to step into a forward position when you have completed the descending block technique. You can also do this in 5 motions forward and backward to keep it accurate.
Inner/outer block (Uchi-uke or Uchi-ude-uke)
This basic block is used to prevent attacks on the middle segment. It begins by placing the blocking hand under the opposite armpit with the palm facing down. Pull the arm forward while twisting the wrist so that the palm faces forward. Bend your arm at a 90-degree angle as you step forward, leveling your fist with your shoulder.
Upward/upward block (Age Uke)
Start performing Age Uke with the blocking arm at the hip and the non-blocking arm up with the fingers relaxed. Lift the blocking arm over the non-blocking arm as you step into the forward position. Fully extend the blocking arm upward, keeping the forearm facing outward, and bring the non-blocking arm to the hip as normal.
Keep repeating the steps over and over.
outer/inner block (Soto-uke or Soto-ude-uke)
This is also used to prevent attacking the midsection. It travels from outside the body to the inside. To perform Soto uke, make a fist and bend the barbell’s arm at a 90-degree angle with the forearm aligned with the body and perpendicular to the floor. A step forward. Rotate the hips in the direction of the block to generate the strength and power needed to deflect the attack while pulling the non-blocking arm back to the hips.
Knife handle (choto uke)
A knife hand-wielder uses the edge of the hand to block an attack aimed at the abdomen, chest, or face. When executing, step into a backhand position with your holding hand with palm facing forward and knife edge striking opponent’s wrist while the other hand remains in front of your solar plexus with palm facing up. Your hands should be placed in the hand of the spear with four fingers.
kicks (back)
Karate kicks are difficult to perform but are extraordinarily powerful when executed correctly. To do this, you have to achieve a stable position and maintain proper balance. Here are some basic kicks that you need to learn.
Front Kick (May Jerry)
Mai Jiri is one of the basic kicks in Karate. The front kick can be taken from your front or back leg when you are standing in a fighting stance. It can also be thrown as a slamming front kick, which is a quick, sharp motion, or as a thrusting front kick, which is a more powerful, extended motion used to push a person away.
When executing any kick, you want to follow four simple steps: chamber, kick, chamber, and down. The front kick is no different. To raise a front kick, you raise your leg, with your thigh perpendicular to the floor, with the knee and ankle bent. It keeps your kick ready. Next, extend your leg in either a snapping motion or a lunge up and forward, keeping your ankle bent so that you strike your target with your flat foot. Bring your foot back into the room and then lower your leg to finish the kick.
Roundhouse Kick (Mawashi Jerry)
Mawashi Geri is a fast kick that gets its power from twisting the hips. It follows the same steps, kick, room, down as the front kick. To perform a circular kick with your front leg, make sure you are standing next to your target. Lift it as you bend slightly backward, bending your knee and ankle, making sure that your shin is tucked so that there is a straight line from your shin to the top of your foot. To kick, extend your leg in a lightning motion and strike with the top of your foot. Bring your leg back into the chamber, then lower it to the floor.
Hook Kick (Ura Mawashigiri)
You apply this kick to tie down an attacker who is interfering while the kick is being taken. The heel or sole of the foot is used as a striking surface. To perform this kick, go into a forward stance, use the back leg, and lift the knee up while rotating the foot of the pivot leg in the opposite direction to loosen the hip. Kick in a circular motion, passing through the midline, then lower your leg to the ground.
Side Kick (Yokogiri)
This kick uses the edge of the foot as a striking surface. From the front stance, switch to a riding position, bringing the left to cross with the right foot. Pull the right leg close to the left knee, and room the right leg for a side kick. Pull back on your kicking leg and quickly land into a riding position. There are two types of side kicks: the side kick (Yoko geri keage) and the side kick (Yoko geri kekomi).