Ji’in, Jion, and Jitte form a group of kata used in Shotokan and other karate styles, beginning with the same characteristic kamae of the left hand covering the right, which apparently has roots in ancient Chinese boxing. Their origin is thought to be from the Tomari-te school. Ji’in (translated: “Temple grounds”) is important for the execution... more »
Kanku Dai is one of the most important kata in the Shotokan Karate Syllabus. This is, despite being an advanced kata, quite basic, but is a very long kata. Under the WKF rules, this is one of the Shitei kata alongside Jion, and is fundamentally both challenging and enjoyable to perform. This kata is famous... more »
Kanku Dai is one of the most important kata in the Shotokan Karate Syllabus. This is, despite being an advanced kata, quite basic, but is a very long kata. Under the WKF rules, this is one of the Shitei kata alongside Jion, and is fundamentally both challenging and enjoyable to perform. This kata is famous... more »
Kanku Sho, which translates to mean ‘To view the sky minor’, was created by Master Itosu, and was developed using Kanku Dai as the basis. There are fundamental similarities in the kata, one being the physical looking to the sky. In Dai, in the opening sequences, your hands elevate, and so does your head, with... more »
Kanku Sho, which translates to mean ‘To view the sky minor’, was created by Master Itosu, and was developed using Kanku Dai as the basis. There are fundamental similarities in the kata, one being the physical looking to the sky. In Dai, in the opening sequences, your hands elevate, and so does your head, with... more »
The leg sweep or foot sweep in Karate is called Ashi Barai. Its primary target is usually just above the ankle but below the knee. This sweeping kick can be delivered with power using your shin as the weapon or by using the sole of your foot. This is one of the difficult kicks... more »
Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata. Kumite can be used to develop a particular technique or a skill (e.g.... more »
Kizami tsuki (jabbing punch), is an extremely important Karate technique, one which some karateka really perfect and seem to have unbelievable speed. Kizami zuki is the closest weapon to an opponent and the fastest to deliver. Karate dojo should really focus on this punch, as it is not only simple, but can be extremely... more »
A knifehand strike is a strike using the part of the hand opposite the thumb (from the little finger to the wrist), familiar to many people as a karate chop, (in Japanese, shuto-uchi). This refers to strikes performed with the side of the knuckle of the small finger. Suitable targets for the knife hand... more »
Kote uchi is the forearm strike in Karate. Its primary target is usually the head with strikes to the neck, jaw and ears as the most common. It can also be a strike to the ribs or groin depending on the situation at hand. You can use the forearm strike as a recovery technique if... more »
Lyoto Carvalho Machida (born May 30, 1978) is a Japanese-Brazilian mixed martial artist from Belém, Brazil who fights as a Light Heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and holds notables wins over former UFC champions Rich Franklin, B.J. Penn, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans, Randy Couture,... more »
Mae Geri (front kick) is the most basic of the many kicks in karate. And it’s fundamental, used more than all kicks in karate, so it’s important a beginner knows it. Steps Position yourself in a double “gedan barai”. This is a normal gedan barai with both arms slanting downwards to the sides of... more »
Mae tobi geri is a jumping (or flying) front kick in Karate. This kick is usually performed in two motions. The first kick not only adds momentum, but is also used to kick aside the blocking hand while the opposite kick attacks the face. Flying kicks can be executed from nearly any stance, though the rear... more »
Masatoshi Nakayama (April 13, 1913 – April 15, 1987) was an internationally-renowned Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He helped establish the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1949, and wrote many textbooks on karate, which served to popularize his martial art. For almost 40 years, until his death in 1987, Nakayama worked to spread Shotokan... more »
Mawashi empi uchi (inside circular elbow strike) is a Karate technique. Empi uchi are very strong, they are applied mainly for close range fighting where it’s difficult to avoid or lock them. The elbow strikes are generally forbidden in Karate competitions. They are studied mostly in Katas and self... more »
Mawashi geri (round kick) may be executed from a variety of stances, and there are several methods of proper execution. The portion of its execution that is always consistent is that the kick is executed inward and at an angle that is anywhere from parallel to the floor to 45 degrees upward. In general,... more »